New legislation smells worse than the cigarettes they’re banning

So there’s some ‘new’ legislation about smoking in public places. According to Activate our oh-so-understanding government is passing laws which will prohibit smokers from indulging in their nicotine fixes in all the usual places smokers like to smoke. You know: in cars that have babies in them, in schools, in crèches. Wait! What am I saying! This is retarded! Why would anyone with any form of a conscience or sense of morality smoke in those places? We’ve already been told not to smoke in public buildings. We’re following them that far.

Things have deteriorated though. Now smokers aren’t allowed to smoke OUTSIDE the entrances of public places which are even PARTIALLY enclosed. This is what the Mail & Guardian said: “Smoking was now illegal in "partially enclosed" public places such as covered patios, verandas, balconies, walkways and parking areas”. If you want to follow that up then please feel free to click right here: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-09-01-new-tobacco-laws-come-into-force. Anyway, the point is: THIS IS RIDICULOUS! From what I can gather no one will be able to smoke a pre-politics or post-politics cigarette outside Barrett. Well…people will be able to but there’s a chance that society’s watchdogs (ie. non-smokers) will tell Big Brother and that poor unfortunate smoker will incur something absurd like a R500 fine. We’re students! Do we look like we have R500?


Anyway, those self-righteous bureaucrats from the National Council Against Smoking reckon that these new laws are being met with much positivity from the nose-led fools that have infested the South African population. Peter Ucko (an allegedly free-spirited kind of guy) seems deluded or has just not met me or any other smokers in the world yet. http://news.iafrica.com/sa/1958002.htm will prove this fact.


BUT! What’s going to happen to wonderful establishments like the Winston Pub in Durban? People write songs about that place! Not just local bands like Sibling Rivalry but also foreign bands like America’s Mad Caddies. The Winston is amazing: it’s this dodgy little pub on the corner of Clark and Umbilo Road. It’s a melting pot of all that is alternative: a bunch of metal-heads, punk kids, surfers, stoners, reggae masters, hip hoppers and just about anyone else who doesn’t seem to fit in at 80’s or Joe Cool’s. And you know what? Many of them like to enjoy a chilled out cigarette with their Black Label quart while talking to the mohawked barman named Mitch. Go here to get a bit of an idea of the Winnie: http://www.durbanlive.com/live/venue_view.jsp?events_s=8&venue_id=8391.

Anyway, main point is: WHO IS PETER UCKO TO TELL THESE PEOPLE THEY CAN’T SMOKE INDOORS???


Peace, love and prosperity.



Tweet: The new smoking laws create boundaries regarding where you can smoke. Concocted by non-smokers, the laws are the 1st sign of a health-crazed Jihad. Who they to proclaim our boundaries?