Ahmad at 360 East drew my attention to some good news in Jordan. According to Alghad [Arabic], fines for smoking in public will increase to a minimum of 100 JD ($140) and a maximum of 1000 JD ($1400) rather than the previous minimum of 25 JD ($35) and maximum of 500 JD ($700).
Believe it or not, this will include airports! Does this mean my constant battles at Queen Alia Airport will eventually come to an end? Part of me, wholeheartedly, wants to believe this but I’m still skeptical. The last time I tried to complain about smoking at the airport I was accused of being "too American." Let’s wait and see!
Guess what!there are law breaker everywhere and in this case there are smokers everywher,and i mean all over the world.I am not in Jordan now,but when you break any law you should expect to be caught and prosecuted,and if you don’t consider yourself lucky,at least this time,next time you might not be so lucky and you will pay.To say our resources should go to fighting other crimes,i agree all crimes should be fought and law breakers need to be prosecuted evrywhere,and for every crime.But these are all important issues and must be dealt with.Before passing a law there should be an explanation of why we need such a law?,folowed by a grace period of education and warnings.let people know when the law will take effct,then enforce the law as much as possible.Just because a lot of people are breaking the law,that does not mean the law is not working,it just going to take longer and people have to realize that not if but when they are caught they will be punished.Just because so many are wrong,that does not make it right.Doing the right thing has to come from within,because that what you believe and know that is right.20 years ago when the same law passed here,no one thought it would work,there was a lot of fines,but now there is hardly any,and it is the normal thing.This is TRUE for other crimes,but you have to give it time and give it a chance.Horrible crimes should have more severe punishments.