Is smoking in bars banned? Clarification please

[huggiesbob]

There's not a lot to do here in winter but I do enjoy playing in the darts league on Thursdays until last night.

Our team Baroosh doesn't permit smoking so has a comfortable environment, Bar 88 whom we were playing at their place permits smoking (as does Karsiyaka Park and the Red Lion) and as a non smoker not wanting my clothes wreaking of smoke it ruined my night out.

If people want to smoke, its their life so go ahead with no objections but my belief was that it is illegal since 2010 to smoke inside the bars............ does anyone know what the law is and advise who is responsible for enforcement if it is unlawful to smoke in these bars?

I played the first half of the darts season without this problem but won't be playing the second half if this trend persists....... one very unhappy darter!! btw does the dart league committee have any comment or advice on this?

[sophie]

I think you'll find the answer is "yes" and "no" and "sometimes". Some places stick very much to the law, others totally ignore it if they think they can get away with it, and others just play it by ear, depending on circumstances and where they are situated and their core base of punters.

[cyprusishome]

Could not have put it better Sophie.
Unfortunately huggiesbob unless you are prepared to complain then it is put up with it or stay away.

[Marions]

Sophie has shared her wisdom (that is what her name means, after all) but the actual answer is 'Yes it is banned by law'. That some places choose to flout the law to keep their customers is their concern, but they are breaking the law and if anyone reported them, they could be liable to a hefty fine and.......

Personally I think it is a trifle short sighted because I know that folks such as we cannot go into those places for the same reason that we are non smokers and want to stay healthy (against all odds sometimes).

Youcould have a word with theHead of the League and explain that you do not feel you can be part of the league because you do not wish to go into such bars, but I fear you may get a negative response.

I think it is very sad that people flout the law without any concern for others. The law is there as a protection for the majority and one wonders if you got lung cancer as a result of playing darts in those places as to whether those responsible for giving it to you will pay your medical fees!

I always remember Roy Castle a great personality and trumpet player. He contracted cancer because of playing in clubs and pubs. I remember those places well, you inhaled cigarette smoke and then had to perform. No good for lungs vocal cords or general health.

Tough one for you though. And I think not at all fair!

[Marions]

Do any of the darts leagues chair,secretary etc read this I woner. If so, could they please comment, and maybe discuss whether they as the Darts League want really to be involved in breaking the law. As my Australian friends would say 'it is a bit of a curly one'

[mavis]

The Red Lion did allow smoking in the covered 'outside' bar but this has now been stopped.
I think as Sophie said a lot of the bars are a law unto theirselves with regards to allowing smoking.
I am a smoker but appreciate others dont want to go home after a night out stinking of smoke!

[Marions]

There is one thing I forgot to mention. If an establishment wishes to become a 'private club' then smoking is allowed. At one stage (and maybe still continuing) Tango to Buddha , the restaurant, turned into a private club at midnight, when the non smokers ran out and the smokers ran in! But of course, I can't see any bar going down THAT PATH.

[Ozangirl]

We have the same problem, been in a few bars recently and people blatantly smoke at the bar inside because they are too idle to go outside, I hate it and can't understand why people just don't stick to the rules.

[sophie]

Word of warning to these Bars who allow smoking (and usually you'll find the owner is a smoker) I don't know if it's the same in the TRNC, but in Istanbul and in Antalya, there are large signs stating quite openly about the fines given out to the owners of cafes and resturants and its not peanuts either. The only place I saw smoking in Istanbul was a nargile cafe which was mostly outside but had a small enclosed area inside (probably used in the winter) which had a very powerful extractor fan.

[snd1966]

I wish the owners could have a licence for smoking or non smoking bars, then everyone has a choice and the law can easily be upheld. If so bad why don't they ban the actual selling of cigarettes you very rarely see someone smoke a joint in public.
I do feel for people who find it hard to give up and the owners of Bars who are just trying to make a living, smokers do tend to be drinkers and I would love a poll of how often and for how long smokers go out in a week. Bars that are generally restaurants are different food is present and even when I was a smoker I felt people had no manners to actually light up beside me.
Generally I find I am the minority so where do all you people go as 99% of the time (at least 3 times a week) I am the only one inside.

[Jonnie]

I will not frequent a bar that allows smoking indoors. The busiest bar in my area is a non-smoking bar.

[CatalkoyChris]

It's all well and good complaining about not being able to smoke inside in the uk where we have cold winters.
But in Cyprus the climate is pleasant pretty much all year around. I'm a smoker and it's nice to sit outside looking at the view/sky chilling out with a cigarette. I personally would feel uncomfortable smoking inside nowadays.

[geroff]

selfish gits most smokers are, care just for themselves. They want to die let them, dont infringe the filthy habit on others
look how many die of cancer that live in NC , no wonder with cigerates that are full of chemicals and sold cheap

[owl]

North Cyprus is a predominantly Muslim country where smoking cigarettes or shisha's is a historic way of life.
Alcohol is an evil introduction from the 'pesky' immigrants (like me) who demand it.

Surely that is against everything Muslims believe in.

The answer is to allow smoking everywhere and ban alcohol. When did you last hear of someone being stopped/fined/imprisoned for 'driving under the influence of tobacco' or causing accidents/violence/street disorder??

We should also ban anyone who is veggie/vegan and return to real food! Also ban anyone who is 'Left Handed', or votes 'Green' pushing up our energy bills!

While we're at it lets ban anything that we wouldn't want in, say, Bournemouth! This is NC! We either accept the Country we have chosen to live in and it's social historic way of life or not!
Who are we to try to impose our 'Western' standards on another Country?

In the UK, over 30% now smoke, I bet it's much higher in NC.

Immigrants seem to cause more problems in NC by trying to change a historic society as the Immigrants do in UK.

p.s. Surveys suggest that most 'Air Rage' incidents are caused by excess alcohol intake, often due to smokers being denied the 'smoking seats' there used to be at the back of aircraft.

let's ban alcohol in public places and allow smoking instead!

[bargainboozeandwines]

Great post owl,what about we allow both together and let every one enjoy them self.

[Jonnie]

Owl, who says banning smoking is passing on western standards? We did not try to impose a ban here, the TRNC government did. As for smoking seats at the back of aircraft.................

You say in the UK over 30% smoke, I think it is the same here

[Owl Lady]

Hi Huggiesbob.It think this one could go on for a while. I am a reformed smoker and believe me they are the worst!!

[sophie]

How true Owl Lady. I no longer smoke but live with someone who does. I can come back into the house hours and hours after the last cigarette was smoked, ash trays emptied and spray duly sprayed and still I can smell it. I can even walk into the garden long after workmen have been and I can smell the aroma wafting about! As for smoking in a car. Don't even go there!!

[swyfloy]

I walked into the new Avanti coffee shop a few weeks ago, table full of ladies all puffing away, walked out and won't be back !

[huggiesbob]

Thanks to those that took time to reply and what some very interesting responses but my purpose of posting this thread was to be able to enjoy the rest of my dart league season which now looks unlikely and to find out what the TRNC Government's law pertaining to smoking in bars is and who enforces it.

The latter two queries are still up in the air but I did think Marions post challenging a response or even a negative response from the dart league committee is an excellent suggestion. So far they've not surfaced which is disappointing but maybe they don't visit this forum.

However as one of the things the league committee resides over is for the provision of supper by the home team for the away team...... (looks like smokies, smoked ham and smoked salmon could be on the menu at some of the venues) but who wants to eat supper in a smokey bar? It really would be good to know their thoughts on this topic.

[maggie]

like lots of people I suffer from asthma, If I am in a smoke filled room it can set off an attack. If one wishes to smoke, Then there should be an area they can do so away from none smokers.

[Marions]

Just a couple of comments. One the law is definitely NO SMOKING unless a private club.

The police enforce it but they need to be notified. But I still think the first port of call is the Darts League leaders. Personally I think that as passive smoking is a killer,l smokers should be aware of this and act accordingly. ~And please do note that this the Government making the ruling and it has nothing to do with ex pats living here. They are merely following other countries who pass laws to protect people.

As tio Avanti could it be that the smoking was on what was formerly the terrace and which is now enclosed by glass. Maybe this is the smokers area. I have bene inside and there is definitely no smoking there. If there is, I won't go again, but I am inclined to think it was the former external are,a now covered.

My husband has a HUGE thing about people smoking in his presence, and can't even stand it when outside and the smokers light up, but at the end of the day it must be obeying the law which is in the interests of the people. And it means we all need to uphold it. Any bars which allow that law to be broken could be into extremely heavy fines. BUT I still hope someone form the Darts League will pick up on this.

[CatalkoyChris]

I think darts are quite dangerous they could potentially be used for weapons.
And dangerous especially after an intake of alcohol, they'll have to be banned.

[huggiesbob]

Well as I started this thread about smoking in bars and will close it out with my findings below.

Basically I have discovered a few bars permit smoking in the area where darts is played (I now know where they are so shall avoid away games at their venue).

I now know its the police control the enforcement of smoking in bars but being honest that's one big can of worms I want to steer clear of so time for me to be selective on darts night.

With regards to the Darts League Committee I was grateful of being invited to meet with them today to discuss this thread which has become untidy to say the least.

It is clear that the Darts League Committee do not have a responsibility for the smoking. Nor as per my previous post are they responsible for suppers which are provided courtesy of the host venue (so my humble apologies to the Committee for that error on my behalf).

There were a few minor issues causing friction which ended up being addressed amicably and if an improvement could be implemented, such as the old chestnut of communication, then the committee have taken this on board and will action accordingly.

In conclusion, this darts league committee does a marvelous job in ensuring the dart league is there every week no matter what and its no easy task when you see what is thrown at them. Keep up the good work guys and thank you.

[Marions]

I think that is a lovely ending. Good communication, talks through, answers found and hopefully everyone is happy. But the fact remains that these bars are breaking the law and as Sophie says there are hefty fines. Unfortunately here it is such a small place that people don't like to 'grass' cos it might be someone's cousin, uncle,brother etc.

It is just such a shame that the Bars don't toe the party line. Cos when it ocmes to summer and everyone is outside smoking, then the non smokers havenowhere to hide apart from inside which is sweltering hot! Same in Australi,a but people reached a compromise and smokers recognized the rights of the non smokers not to have their lungs molested when they wanted clean air. As this is a similar climate, then the same can be achieved - in summer.

But what a shame that players in a league have to be selective as to where they can take part in matches. Hopefully in time it will level out lawfully. It is still fairly early days.

[spider]

Nope the posting is not here to post, haha. Grrr.

Spider, X

[woodspeckie]

I walked into the new Avanti coffee shop a few weeks ago, table full of ladies all puffing away, walked out and won't be back !

We did the same but now they have put no smoking signs on the windows and signs inside.

[Owl Lady]

In that case, to be fair, give them another chance!

[cyprusishome]

Went to Avanti yesterday for the first time and note that they have a smoking area, could this have been what above posters saw. The area concerned has the roof uncovered and obviously is quite legal. I speak as a non smoker, as is my wife but we were happy with the facilty provided for smokers.

[bigOz]

I am sure I saw a headline in Kıbrıs newspaper yesterday that smoking is to be legal again at bars etc.

If I went to a bar once a year - now it will be NEVER!

[woodspeckie]

Went to Avanti yesterday for the first time and note that they have a smoking area, could this have been what above posters saw. The area concerned has the roof uncovered and obviously is quite legal. I speak as a non smoker, as is my wife but we were happy with the facilty provided for smokers.

No it was along the front facing the road all covered in but now the notices have appeared there.