No Smoking…Again

December 30, 2007 - 3:31 PM by

This no smoking issue seems to pop up again and again and again.

I mean, it’s only been a short while since Israel’s new smoking ban was put into place.

So of course there is bound to be grumbling, discussion, mention of how the new law is either affecting, not affecting, imposing upon, stealing civil liberties, being implemented, not being implemented…

The latest that caught the collective Israelity eye was a posting by blogger Forecast Highs who spent his Friday ‘packed in tight’ with fellow club-goers at Tel Aviv’s trendy Gymnasium. Aside from pondering the outcome of a stampede or fight in the tightly packed premises, Forecast questioned the general nose-thumbing of the anti-smoke law.

There were way too many people inside – a death trap for sure if a fire or a fight broke out and there was a rush to get out. With that many people smoking, and a large amount of drunked-up and drugged-up frustrated young men in the room, anything was possible.

As the night progressed more and more people started smoking. I think the reason that people felt it was ok to smoke was that there were so many people smoking – not as many as you would have had just a few short months ago, but enough nonetheless. The bouncers were outside or at the door. The bar staff were way too busy pouring drinks, flirting and riling up the crowds to ask anyone politely to put out their cigarettes. There was no discernable management at the place, and nobody I felt I could go to and demand that they tell patrons to put their cigarettes out, and call the municipal inspectors if that failed.

It’ll take time and heavy fines. But it’ll happen. Check it.

Tags: • Category: A New Reality, Israeliness, Life, Pop Culture 

Comments

Leave a Comment





© 2012 ISRAELITY | Site by illuminea | Sitemap