The " Net " closes !

From today, it becomes a fine able offence to light up a smoke within ten metres of a children's playground, bus stop, sporting field, public swimming pool, taxi stop, or hospital grounds - and just four metres from the entrance to any public building.    Council is moving along an inevitable path to completely banning smoking in the Wollongong Mall.

There is more in the pipeline.   From 2015 the smoking ban will be implemented on all those outdoor eating areas that are presently " smoking permitted ".   It remains to be seen if the people tasked with policing these smoking bans will aggressively start to hand out fines.

Passing laws is the easy part.   Having the fortitude to crack down hard on offenders is the key to making those laws work.   Nobody likes to cop a fine and there will be complaints that smoking falls into the category of " civil liberties " by some people - but the only way to make any law stick is to deliver a " reign of terror " that makes disobeying it " unthinkable ".

There is absolutely no doubt that the use of tobacco shortens the life span of smokers.  Smoking is one of the leading causes of death and treating smoking ailments relates to bed use in all our major hospitals.  The net is closing on smokers, with plain packaging making the product unattractive, to a subtle attitude change that makes a smoker lighting up feel guilty in the court of public opinion.  We are rapidly reaching the stage when the only place a smoker can feel free - is in their own home, and even that is now under challenge when " home " is a unit in a multi-apartment building.   Body Corporates are trying to legally declare entire buildings " smoke free " zones.

Quitting the habit is a new thriving industry.   The majority of smokers know that the habit costs them a lot of money and most agree that it harms their health, but nicotine is relentlessly addictive and breaking it's hold results in failure for many.    Nicotine patches are said to help, but when push comes to shove - most people succeed only when they go " cold turkey " because something stiffens their resolve.  Perhaps a hefty fine for breaking the smoking laws could be the deciding factor !

We have come a long way from the days when people smoked in supermarkets and even banks and doctor's waiting rooms had ash trays available.   Even the driving laws forbid a driver to smoke if there are children present in the car.

Will we ever see the day that the government bites the bullet and declares tobacco an illicit product ?   It would certainly not stop the dedicated smoker and it would add a new product to the underworld of pushers who deal in drugs - but it would provide the incentive for many honest people to break the habit.

There is a big difference between buying a legal product kept under the counter in a supermarket - and seeking out a criminal to obtain your supply with the danger of getting involved in a " police bust ".

Perhaps - some time this century - governments may find the courage to take that final step !