IN what's believed to be the first for a Queensland Surf Life Saving Club, Mooloolaba will ban smoking before the year's out. To them, I say "thank you" It's a bold move, but definitely the right one. In case you missed it, from December 1, the club's smoking area will become a designated tobacco-free zone.
This is fantastic. Finally, a real community, grassroots approach to dealing with a problem as big as smoking. It's a disgusting habit. I don't understand the thrill of it or why you'd want to put those toxins in your body. Then again, it's your body. I can only hope those who choose to light up are fully aware of what they're doing and most importantly, prepared to deal with the consequences of their actions.
I don't see anyone quitting just because they can't light up when they're having a beer at the club - but it's a start. The feedback from the ban has been overwhelming positive from what I can tell. We ran a poll on the Daily's website asking if all surf clubs should follow suit and the majority, 62%, said yes.
This was followed by 29% who believed the individual clubs should choose for themselves leaving the rest, 9%, who said they didn't care what they did. Sad. They should care. This is their health and the health of the general community we're talking about. Coincidentally, December 1 is also the date that the tax on smokes will rise by 12.5% each year for four years, raising $5.3 billion over the forward estimates.
Kevin Rudd raised tobacco prices by 25% back in 2010, a move attributed to an 11% drop in smoking rates. Of course back then, the money made off the increase was directed in to the health budget - to treat those who don't mind forking out a little bit extra to slowly kill themselves. Not all money raised will go towards treating tobacco-related diseases.
Honestly, I'd rather see a significant chunk of that money go to fund our firefighters who have to battle these life threatening blazes started by a cigarette butt flicked out the window. How about a bit more money for the environment? An estimated 4.5 trillion (Yes, with a t) cigarette butts are littered worldwide every year.
If you smoke you know the risk you're taking. Good on the Mooloolaba SLSC for banning the butt. I hope others follow in your footsteps.
These days perfect way to save money on cigarettes is to buy them online at http://cigarette-deals.com/
This is fantastic. Finally, a real community, grassroots approach to dealing with a problem as big as smoking. It's a disgusting habit. I don't understand the thrill of it or why you'd want to put those toxins in your body. Then again, it's your body. I can only hope those who choose to light up are fully aware of what they're doing and most importantly, prepared to deal with the consequences of their actions.
I don't see anyone quitting just because they can't light up when they're having a beer at the club - but it's a start. The feedback from the ban has been overwhelming positive from what I can tell. We ran a poll on the Daily's website asking if all surf clubs should follow suit and the majority, 62%, said yes.
This was followed by 29% who believed the individual clubs should choose for themselves leaving the rest, 9%, who said they didn't care what they did. Sad. They should care. This is their health and the health of the general community we're talking about. Coincidentally, December 1 is also the date that the tax on smokes will rise by 12.5% each year for four years, raising $5.3 billion over the forward estimates.
Kevin Rudd raised tobacco prices by 25% back in 2010, a move attributed to an 11% drop in smoking rates. Of course back then, the money made off the increase was directed in to the health budget - to treat those who don't mind forking out a little bit extra to slowly kill themselves. Not all money raised will go towards treating tobacco-related diseases.
Honestly, I'd rather see a significant chunk of that money go to fund our firefighters who have to battle these life threatening blazes started by a cigarette butt flicked out the window. How about a bit more money for the environment? An estimated 4.5 trillion (Yes, with a t) cigarette butts are littered worldwide every year.
If you smoke you know the risk you're taking. Good on the Mooloolaba SLSC for banning the butt. I hope others follow in your footsteps.
These days perfect way to save money on cigarettes is to buy them online at http://cigarette-deals.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment