RESTAURANT SMOKING DEBATE HOTS UP

Dear Betsy, At last someone dares to speak up about smoking in restaurants. We used to dine out three times a week on average, but no more.

I just cannot take the stench of smoke and don't see why I should pay money to sit there and suffer.

My wife has asthma and you can bet that if we do dare to eat out that she will be up all night coughing and using her inhaler.

When we complained in one leading restaurant, the manager agreed with us and said it made his staff ill too but that the owner was a smoker so would not entertain any complaints about smoking.

Needless to say, that is the last time we will ever grace that restaurant with our patronage. As you say Betsy, if there was just ONE restaurant that banned smoking then it would be phenomenally successful.

My wife and I and our large group of friends would be first in line to book a regular table. We all wait with bated breath to see if any restaurant will take up your challenge.

JB Watts.

Dear JB,

I think that restaurateurs underestimate how much earning power they are denying themselves by not introducing a smoking ban.

As you will see from the letter from Clive Turpin below, it is well documented that countries where there is a smoking ban in place are already reaping the rewards. Do we have an enterprising investor out there who is looking for a new venture?

There is a definite gap in the market here. Who will be smart enough to take advantage of it?

Dear Betsy,

I am a smoker but never smoke at home or in fact anywhere indoors, out of respect for others' health.

I would never dream of smoking in a restaurant where people are eating. I wish I could give up, I keep trying. I had hypnotherapy, nicotine patches, chewing gum - you name it and I have tried it.

If you have any other suggestions for giving up then I would be happy to hear them. Just because I am addicted to nicotine it does not mean I have the right to pollute the environment and put others health at risk.

I also don't like the smell of stale smoke on my clothes and smoking outdoors lessens this. I am lucky that my wife is understanding of my habit.

I worry about the health implications and now in my late fifties, just cannot afford the high premium on health insurance due to the fact that I am a long term smoker.

I agree that smoking should be banned in all public places but it will never happen here.

Very few obey the not driving while on your mobile law, so how will they ever get smokers to stub out in public?

I don't think it will ever happen in Bahrain, especially when restaurants and bars rely on the weekend visitors who seem to have no concept of following any law.

Andrew.

Dear Andrew,

I wish I could wave a magic wand for you to cure you of your habit. There is no denying that it is not easy for most people to quit. You need to find the motivation and keep it.

As you have tried all the usual methods for quitting there is not much more I can suggest. A GW colleague tells me that there is a Quit Smoking office in Dana Mall called IQS, that offers help for smokers who want to quit.

You need to really WANT to give up. You are a very considerate smoker and it is great for restaurateurs to hear that even smokers would be happy to patronise a non smoking restaurant.

(Are you guys listening?) Good luck with quitting.

Dear Betsy,

Danielle, my wife, and I totally agree with your smoking comments in Gulf Weekly. Unfortunately we are forced to eat out less and less because of smoking, as do virtually all our friends.

When we do eat out, we tend to eat more and more in the malls as they are no-smoking areas.The evidence is overwhelming in countries, where a ban is in place, that business increases in bars and restaurants and staff are healthier.

My brother, a director of a major brewery in the UK which manages many thousands of pubs and restaurants tells me that profits are soaring now the ban is widespread across the UK.

The pint swilling, chain-smoking customers who sit for hours nursing a few drinks, have been replaced by clients with families who eat proper meals and drink wine and cocktails.

These customers also do not linger all night, and tables are used many times over during opening hours.

In answer to your question today, 'Yes, Bahrain should ban smoking - including Sheesha - in all public places'.

Will you spearhead a campaign and challenge restaurants who are 'brave enough and visionary enough to declare their restaurant a 100% smoke free zone.' - Your quote!

I think we would find that such a campaign would grow exponentially with a strong leader . . . . you? If you can be persuaded to lead a campaign, you will have active support from me.

All the best.

Clive Turpin.

Dear Clive,

Your letter reflects the majority of my postbag this week and it seems that even for smokers, this is an issue.

Your suggestion for banning sheesha is something I would also support as it is too attractive to our youngsters who feel compelled to indulge when they are with their friends. They seem to think it is not dangerous, like cigarettes, but I believe that it is much more damaging.

I accompanied my son to a cafŽ in one of the malls a few months ago and I was shocked at the amount of young people, many of them young women, puffing away like pros on their sheesas.

My son does not smoke as he understands how badly it can affect his health and that of others, but he admitted to smoking sheesha when with his friends as "it is just fruits".

Ofcourse I enlightened him straight away, but how many others are under this impression? We need a serious educational campaign, beginning with our schools and universities.

If sheesha cafes are allowed to sell this 'drug' then they should by law, be forced to put a health warning on their menus and on every table, such as cigarette manufacturers do on their packets.

I have contacted several leading restaurants to ask if they were willing to consider making their restaurants a "Smoke Free Zone". Of those that replied to me, comments included, " Betsy it is not April Fool's Day for another five months!" to " is this Candid Camera?" and finally one honest manager: " Head Office likes us to pack the smokers in here as they believe they will spend more and discourage non smokers who eat and drink less." I hope they read your info above Clive.

I will not give up and will keep contacting restaurants to try to persuade them to think "smoke free, business boost".

WOULD YOU SUPPORT A SMOKE FREE BAHRAIN?

Email me with your comments:

betsymathieson@hotmail.com

Dear Betsy,

You ex-smokers make me sick. You are so self righteous. If I want to smoke I will. It is none of your business.

You are one of those control freaks who wants everyone to sit up straight, behave, eat their vegetables and be in bed by 10pm. What a saddo you are, please stay at home with your sad friends we don't want to see your disapproving stares while we are enjoying our fags.

Just because you disapprove of something doesn't mean you can ban it. I hate to see women like you with heavy make up so I propose we ban you all from restaurants so I can eat without ruining my appetite.

Surely all those chemicals you plaster on your face are a health hazard to others. Don't pollute my space. Stay home and suck lemons and let others enjoy their lives.

Mr Woodbine.

Dear Mr Woodbine,

Actually I love lemons, they are full of vitamin C. This is something that smokers lack as all that carbon monoxide eats up your vitamin C as well as other vitamins including the B complex vitamins.

They are essential for the health of your neurotransmitters, amongst other things, and keep your brain and thought processes functioning normally. Deficiency can lead to impaired judgment, irrational thought and a persecution complex.

I would strongly recommend you take one to two grammes of vitamin C daily, a double strength vitamin B Complex and an extra strong dose of "reality". It's not too late, you can get better. The question is - do you really want to? This is not a trick question.

Answers on a postcard to: The Tooth Fairy, c/o Santa's Little Helpers, the North Pole.