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Bill: Smoking Regulation Act of 2970
Details
Submitted by[?]: Hutorian Conservative Party
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This is an ordinary bill. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: May 2972
Description[?]:
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Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change Government policy towards smoking.
Old value:: Smoking is legal everywhere, at the discretion of the property owner, and is legal in government-owned buildings.
Current: Smoking is legal outdoors and in private homes and clubs, but illegal indoors in places of employment, with the exception of places that primarily serve liquor.
Proposed: Smoking is only allowed in private homes and clubs.
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 21:57:19, July 18, 2010 CET | From | Hutorian Conservative Party | To | Debating the Smoking Regulation Act of 2970 |
| Message | Rt Hon Baron Mancini, NSC Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Mr Speaker, smoking and smoking related illness put a large financial strain on the healthcare system. Currently we have a state-run Healthcare system and heavy smokers will not be accepted into private healthcare systems because of the likelyness of getting sick. This forces the vast majority into the states healthcare programme. Mr Speaker, why should the state pay for operations and buy drugs etc. for those whos illness has been caused to themselves through smoking? Exactly Mr Speaker, the state should not. However we do see a need to protect peoples liberty on this issue and we will not outlaw smoking completely. Instead we see the areas which people can smoke drastically cut down. This will also help with the issue of second hand smoke and its related health problems. Mr Speaker, the state should not save the lives of those who choose to voluntarily poison themselves through smoking! |
| Date | 09:32:49, July 19, 2010 CET | From | Conservative-Libertarian Party (UM) | To | Debating the Smoking Regulation Act of 2970 |
| Message | Rt Hon Countess Bridges MP, Health Secretary: Mr Speaker, I am quite surprised to see the gentleman opposite attacking the concept of universal provision. Mr Speaker, the whole point of a public health service is that anybody can receive treatment free of charge. Individuals contribute taxes, not only to assure that they receive treatment themselves, but also so that those unable to pay have an option of healthcare. Mr Speaker, this is an essential aspect of the public health service! The gentleman opposite, who claims to be a socialist, should remember this basic concept before he starts suggesting that smokers should not be entitled to healthcare. However, he also raises an important point on the private sector, and this is why we believe it would be foolish ever to get rid of the private sector. Mr Speaker, private health care encourages healthy living in a way that a solely public service never could. Mr Speaker, many individuals wish to enter the private sector because, nine times out of ten, it is easier to access, quicker to receive treatment, and more treatments are available. Mr Speaker, in addition to this, it depends very much on an individual receiving health insurance. If an individual is a heavy smoker, drinker, drug-taker, 'eater' or whatever, his insurance will cost much more than one who lives a healthy lifestyle. Mr Speaker, this encourages and incentivises fitness and health, and we should not forget that. We understand the gentleman's point on passive smoking, and it is a concern. However, it would be wrong to clamp down on it completely, for it is extremely difficult to measure. Mr Speaker, if we declare passive smoking an evil on the streets, when will the state decide that it should be illegal in the home? We must be careful Mr Speaker, for the unstoppable train of regulation often leads to destinations hitherto unknown. Besides, Mr Speaker, experts suggest that the best place for smoking to take place is in the open air. This bill would end that, and all smoking would have to take place in doors. On the government buildings, Mr Speaker, it should be pointed out that this is very much the decision of individual Secretaries of State. I have banned smoking in all buildings attached to the Ministry of Health and Social Services. I know that my Rt Hon friend Lucinda Gregory has done the same in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Others could do the same, so options are not closed. |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | ||
| yes | Total Seats: 143 | ||
| no |
Total Seats: 248 | ||
| abstain | Total Seats: 0 |
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