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| Author | Anna Bonnici |
| Abstract | This thesis is mainly a medico-legal analysis of the measurements governments are taking to restrict a particular activity, that is smoking, with the objective of protecting public health. Hence, (after a brief analysis of the medical aspect in the first chapter), there will be a list in chapter 2 of the several governmental measures which were taken for this purpose. These measures include cigarette advertising bans, health warnings, control of harmful substances in tobacco, taxes, legislation on smoke free public places and other measures aimed specifically at the protection of minors. In chapter 3 the researcher will then review some studies to discuss whether these governmental measures are being effective or not in order to control the use of a Legal product, that is cigarettes. The role of the health inspector in enforcing, such governmental measures will also be tackled. Semi-structured interviews (focused interview) with the directors of hotels and restaurants were carried out to see how the legislation regarding the banning of tobacco smoking in public places was affected by the hospitality industry. The research site was a quiet area within the hotels and restaurants and most of the questions in the interview schedule used were open - ended questions. Data from a total number of 30 hotels and 30 restaurants was collected, and analysed. Data was collected over a period of 1 month and each session lasted about 30 minutes. The findings indicated that all the 60 directors interviewed were knowledgeable about the implementation of a smoking ban in public places including the hospitality industry. All directors stated that like anything else this ban has both negative and positive effects. However they all agreed that the implementation of the smoking ban in restaurants and hotels is the only way to deal with the negative effects of tobacco smoking. All interviewees stated that it is impossible to ban smoking completely. However the directors stated that a person's choice not to smoke must be respected and this ban is thus intended to take account of the choice of such people. At the same time this ban does not ignore the rights of the tobacco consumers. In fact, the interviewees stated that a good percentage of smokers did accept this smoking policy. Until smokers accept and get used to smoke - free as a daily norm, such smoke free ordinances, as suggested by the directors of hotels and restaurants, must be enforced. |
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| Key words | Thesis, Tobacco, Smoking Control Act, Enforcement, Environmental Health |