It's been some time since I reported from Denmark. Nothing much
has been happening. But things are beginning to stirr up. Readers familiar with
what's happening in Hawaii and Colorado have some good news. Bar owners in the
US are not the only protesters.
First of all, the much advertised smoking
ban in Denmark has been postponed. It was due for implementation on April 1.
2007. Because of various technicalities, the law has not yet passed in
parliament. The current timetable sets it due to August 15. I suspect that it
will not come into force until around October.
Secondly, bar owners in Denmark are
becoming aware of the gravity of the situation. They know from abroad that a
smoking ban is a death spell to their businesses. So they have started a protest
movement. 200 bars have joined the protest until now, and more are joining. The
protesters have a website at
www.rygervalg.dk
. On April 18, they are planning a demonstration outside parliament. A
delegation will meet with the parliamentary 'health' comittee.
Various celebrities have signed a petition
in favor of the bar owners. Given the limited success of celebrity involvement
in speakiing out against smoking bans in the past, I think the celebrity
involvement will be of limited value. But 200 bar owners pack a punch.
Finally, The Smokers Party is gathering for
its founding meeting on March 24. It was scheduled to have taken place on
February 24, but due to a snowstorm, the meeting was postponed. Ole Gilberg of
the Smokers Party is whipping up some interest with his initiative. I shall try
to keep you posted on the progress of this party. It's a most interesting
development. I'll be at the meeting, since I am a member of the party!
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