Experts oppose merging no-smoking signs with other warnings
Efforts to change the law and unify various sign requirements in public places have met with objections by anti-smoking groups.
By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICHYoung men smoking near Ashdod(photo credit: REUTERS)
Efforts in the Knesset Interior and Environmental Protection Committee to change the law and unify various sign requirements in public places have met with objections by anti-smoking groups.The committees are due on Monday to approve on the second and third readings a bill that would join together – all in one sign with no smoking warnings – prohibitions against noise, selling and drinking alcohol, selling tobacco and lending nargilas (water pipes) to minors.The intention – with various exceptions – is to require the hanging of uniform signs in duty-free shops, restaurants, event halls, cafes and other locations.As it is, smoking bans in wedding halls are regularly ignored and unenforced.Public health experts worry that such a law would make the situation much worse, giving the impression that smoking there is not prohibited.Even though the law ostensibly allows the health minister to oppose the unification of signs in a particular place, the public health experts – who were not consulted in advance by the committee – say they fear this will not be realized. They therefore are planning to appear at the committee meeting at 11.30 a.m.
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