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!
dont ban smoking. ban the sale of cigarettes. if they are so bad why do we let them be sold so they can kill people(according to health researchers) dont be a wingin willy get ’em banned now
What exactly is a public place? My office? Does that include the stairwell? Who do I call to report smokers? How long before I get fired for calling the cops?
Whether they stop smoking, get fined for smoking, or ban smoking, I should say ; what difference does it make for me living here in the USA!
Just wondering; who cares!
Does anyone have “wal3ah”, by the way?
Two years ago, four working ministers and 3 secretary generals went together to launch an anti-smoking campaign in Queen Alia Airport. After the initial speeches and clapping 3 ministers and 3 secretary generals went into a closed rom to smoke leaving the Minister of Health alone. By the way, all ministers smoke Cuban cigars.
Increasing the fine means little to nothing if they are never collected. And honestly, the fine amounts are ridiculous, although I think the highest amounts have to do with vendors selling to minors. While there is something to be said for the allocation of resources mentioned above, don’t think that smoking isn’t a public issue. It is a public health issue that affects everyone and in many ways, more than you think.
Traffic is in the same vein but you see tickets given out for seatbelt and stop sign violations. I think the immediate cause and effect of traffic and traffic violations is the reason for the disparity in enforcement and respect.
I’d think lowering the fine to say 10 JD and then having that fine collected on the spot would have a more significant impact. Double it if the violator cannot pay immediately. These other fines seem almost comically large considering the minimum wage in Jordan. Lower fines would allow for immediate enforcement, and so a more realistic impact. I can’t imagine a police officer sticking someone of less than adequate means with a ticket that could take them a year to pay.
The smoking issue, although seemingly trivial on the surface, does have a real impact on the public in both the long and short term, most notably through the incidents of cancer and the monies – both public and private – spent battling that dread disease.
Natasha isn’t the one joking – whoever thinks this new law is going to be implemented is the one pulling all our legs and cracking up to himself behind his desk. For God’s sake, whoever is implementing this law is a smoker himself, and probably wants to fine people to fund his cigarette packs. I honestly don’t think this is going to work; I can’t even imagine it! Take the airport for example – it’s not only the travellers breaking the supposed law when they smoke beneath a non-smoking sign; it’s the employees themselves that spend their entire days inhaling the nicotine. You’re gonna fine people who probably haven’t owned a complete 1000 JD in their lives??? I’m gonan wanna see that!
given the limited enforcement tools at the disposal of the government in Jordan (this arises from the limited resources of the country, and the fact that any law is meaningless unless it is enforceable), i see the limited resources of the country better spent at fighting other more significant problems. for example, we can fight smuggling (of drugs, weapons…etc), or fight corruption and tax evasion (which too needs enforcement), or even traffic (which causes many deaths annually). i think by cheering, or proposing a smoking ban, you are wasting valuable resources, and looking to solve a trivial problem in the face of more significant ones.
Khalaf,
I think she is joking, right, and left !
Natasha: You’re joking, right?
I foresee lots of policemen being beaten up. Smoking will become a group activity, so as to increase leverage and intimidation. jibli az3am shortee ygool la 5 shabab ino ya bittafo il sagayer ya baddaf3ak 5000 laira, ay bilt3en abu sansafeel aboo.