While the opposition argues the government's new smoking law is far too strict, anti-smoking charities say it does not go far enough
Jump to full article: Copenhagen Post (dk), 2012-04-23
Author: Jyllands-Posten
Intro: following the government’s new smoking law that was agreed on last Saturday with support from Enhedslisten, many will find their right to smoke has been taken away from them – and completely unnecessarily, argues opposition party Venstre (V).
“We think that the current smoking laws are perfectly adequate and that there are far more important things to debate,” V’s health spokesperson, Sophie Løhde, said. “Citizens can think for themselves and don’t need detailed manuals from the government.”
The new law will ban smoking in education institutions for children and youths as well as in single-person offices, though there will be exceptions for company cars, trucks and cranes as long as there is only person present in the vehicle at the time.
Dansk Folkeparti (DF) were also vocal critics of the new smoking law, arguing that the ban on smoking in single-person offices is over-protective while schools are already good at introducing their own anti-smoking policies.
“I actually think that the new smoking law will mean more people will become exposed to tobacco smoke as everyone files outside to smoke by the entrances to buildings,” Henrik Thulesen Dahl from DF said. "They become more visible and so may also inspire more people to smoke."
The health minister, Astrid Krag (Socialistisk Folkeparti) dismissed Dahl’s criticisms. . . .
Factfile – New smoking laws
Total ban on smoking at education institutions for children and youths, such as day care institutions, primary and middle schools and high schools.
Total ban on smoking in single-person offices.
Increased fines for breaking the smoking law and for selling tobacco to youths under 18. In both cases a first offence will cost 5,000 kroner, a second 10,000 kroner and a third 20,000 kroner.
Increased support for people wanting to quit including 1.5 million kroner for the marketing of the help line, Stoplinien.
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