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Good law, bad application

Sep 22,2016 - Last updated at Sep 22,2016

The Tobacco Free Jordan Society (TFJS) is upset, and for a good cause, because despite the “good law” in place against smoking in hospitals, schools, government offices, restaurants and other public places, smoking is still widespread.

TFJS is asking, therefore, like many a good citizen who still have to suffer because the law is not observed, why this utter disregard for the anti-smoking legislation.

It seems that all the campaigns against smoking and all the efforts to raise awareness about the direct link between smoking and death have no effect. 

Diehard smokers cannot be deterred. They keep at it apace, and it is their choice and right, as long as it does not infringe on the right of non-smokers to clean air.

Moreover, the hubble bubble business is flourishing, with more and more places sprouting everywhere, luring people, especially the young, to spend their evenings inhaling noxious smoke, admittedly a cheaper entertainment than most others.

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) took the “unpardonable” decision to take away licences of cafés offering hookah and to limit licensing new ones.

But the brouhaha against GAM’s attempt at saving lives was deafening and the government did not really support its efforts, another case of disregard for laws it enacts.

The question remains, why is the public so indifferent to the dangers of smoking?

And why are people who defy the law allowed to do so?

It could be our culture that is responsible for this alarming state of affairs.

As long as people believe that their destinies, including of course the state of their health, are decided for them no matter what, no amount of legislation will be enough to stop certain behaviour.

It so happens that cases of death due to cardiovascular diseases are on the rise in a dramatic way in the country.

By and large, Jordanians’ lifestyle is quite unhealthy, and the effort a few wise societies or individuals make to change that is obviously not enough. 

TFJS persists in its efforts to combat smoking because its members know what its outcome is.

When educational reforms are discussed, they must include references to good health practices.

Raising awareness is important. But most important is to implement the law, pure and simple.

Just like smokers believe it is their right to puff their lungs away, non-smokers believe they have a right to clean air.

It does not have to be a divisive issue. Making space for both in public spaces is a simple solution.

 

But application of the law should suffer no exception.

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