The authorities in Cluj-Napoca gave the first sanctions to those who smoked in open spaces, where local regulations prohibit this habit. The anti-smoking measures in Cluj-Napoca have inspired other administrations, but also arouse controversy.
Station in Cluj-Napoca where smoking is forbidden. Photo: Cluj-Napoca City Hall.
Since August, with the entry into force of a local council decision, Cluj-Napoca has become the first city in Romania where smoking in public parks, in sports bases and in public transport stations has been banned and is punished with fines of up to 500 lei, applied by local police.
More restrictions on smokers
Cigarette smoke contributes to air pollution, affecting the quality of breathable air, and exposure to secondary tobacco smoke and secondary aerosols is particularly dangerous, especially for children and adolescents, the representatives of the City Hall explained.
Anti-smoking announcements in Cluj-Napoca. Photo: Prime Minister of Cluj-Napoca.
“Smoking is an unhealthy behavior that can negatively influence the perception of young people on a healthy lifestyle. Tobacco smoke can be extremely unpleasant and disturbing to citizens, especially in open but crowded spaces, such as bus or tram stations or sports bases where citizens are out of recreation Very frequent waste in public places, and in sports and parks can be a cleaning problem ”, The local administration in Cluj-Napoca showed, in the report of the decision by the Local Council.
The authorities in Cluj-Napoca have arranged some areas for smokers and placed information panels regarding the prohibition of smoking in the parks and sports bases in the municipality.
Iași follows the example of Cluj-Napoca
The measures taken in the municipality of Cluj-Napoca have inspired other local administrations.
On August 19, the City Hall of Iași launched in public debate a draft local council decision aimed at restricting smoking and using alternative means, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, in several public spaces in the city.
“According to the project, smoking will be completely forbidden in public transport stations, children’s playgrounds and sports bases. In leisure areas, such as parks and pools, smoking will be allowed only in specially arranged spaces, to be properly signaled within 60 days from the adoption of the decision”, The representatives of the City Hall of Iași transmitted.
Place indicated for smokers in Cluj-Napoca. Photo: Prime Minister of Cluj-Napoca.
The new decision by the Local Council could be voted in the coming weeks, to be in force 60 days after adoption.
Controversies of anti-smoking regulations
The prohibition of smoking in several outdoor public spaces in Cluj-Napoca and Iași has aroused numerous reactions on social networks, especially after the first smokers who violated the disposition were applied.
Some Romanians believe that the ban on smoking in bus stations and playgrounds is a good idea, but they do not agree with the sanction of those who smoke in the parks.
“The park is a place of relaxation for adults and it is not as if it were the world of the world on the bench chosen at random, where you light a cigarette”, Support a local on the Reddit Online Platform.
Others say the measure should have been taken for a long time, because the smoke of others was disturbing.
“I did not agree to run through the park and to have to inhale the cigarette smoke that was often felt. The same thing happens if I want to take a pizza on the terrace. Why swallow the smoke of others?” says another Cluj.
Other Romanians have ironically commented on the measures taken by the municipality.
“Cluj breathes fresh air. Not from traffic, not from the sites, not from the heating on the coal … but because it no longer smokes in the trolley station. So, if you pay 700 euros on a studio with mold, at least you have the guarantee that when you go on the balcony, you do not enter the cigarette, but it does He wrote a local on the Facebook page of Cluj-Napoca.
Ieșeni debate the anti-smoking regulations
The announcement of the City Hall in Iași also generated debates. Some locals have accused the local administration of preparing an abusive decision.
“If you really care about the health of the children, you should allocate money and personally for cleaning and sanitation of playgrounds, not just in panels with forbidden smoking.” transmitted an Iasi on Facebook.
Another inhabitant pointed out that some employees of the City Hall should, in turn, sanction for smoking.
“At one of the entrances to the town hall, in the morning, policemen and officials at the cigarette are gathered, and this fills the smoke hall. Citizens must make slalom among them with the joy of inhaling the toxic emanations from their lungs.” he wrote.
Other Iasi believes that such a regulation is beneficial.
“Why should those who do not smoke to swallow cigarette smoke in the bus station or children’s parks? There are children in the bus and people who do not smoke. To smoke at home those who want it,” says another local.
Almost a quarter of Romanians smoke
However, the idea is seen by some as almost impossible to apply.
“A cigarette lasts 3-5 minutes. There should be someone permanently in these spaces to hunt smokers, which we know is not possible. Then let’s not forget that there are still public institutions in which they continue to smoke, even in offices,” add it.
Others believe, however, that a stricter anti-smoking legislation could have benefits in decreasing the number of smokers.
“The laws that already exist for smoking in public spaces should be applied. There are almost nothing, and many smokers have the impression that they are appropriate to smoke wherever they want. In Romania they smoke ridiculous, everywhere and anytime, and the others have to bear,” He believes.
In Romania there are about five million smokers, the statistics presented in recent years by European institutions show. Many of them have been attracted to this vice since adolescence, because of the surroundings.
“When I started high school, I could count on my fingers on my handshake colleagues. When I finished high school, I could also count those who were still non -smoking.”he remembers a young man.
However, other Romanians claim that after the teenage period they managed to give up cigarettes, after changing their surroundings.
