ZERO TOLERANCE ON SMOKING IN MALLS!!!!!!

It is now all our responsibility to keep each other safe. I am a petite woman, but I have regularly confronted smokers in the mall and won't hesitate to do it again.

How dare they. They are lucky I did not see them.

I agree, even in office buildings, parks, malls every where they start smoking,,,,,,,,,

Did you see the no smoking sign on each table. I have so much wanted to take a photograph of all the smokers outside Starbucks Landmark with their fags and makeshift ashtrays next to the no smoking signs on their tables. I am a smoker, but I would never have the audacity to smoke where it is supposed to be illegal. What is the difference between them and me? Why do they feel laws don't apply to them? Yes this makes me angry, but have I got the guts to say something to them.... Hell no!

If simple laws like this aren't enforced what chance is there that people will obey more important ones. Come on law enforcers lets see you deal with this simple and easy to understand law.

My dear barristas at Starbucks in Villaggio would very nicely ask customers to stop smoking when we would complain to them. I do so wish we could give them tips but the management doesn't allow them to keep them.
Mandi

The word "Qatari" hasnt been mentioned in this thread so far - yours is the first. But now that you mention it ...............

It's THEIR country, THEIR rules, and THEY are responsible for any mishap that evolves from this stone-age mentality!

A lot of it is about courtesy and manners and whether it is in the Mall or on the road, there is a certain element of society who are totally bereft of common courtesy or good manners...... go figure.

As far as accountability for behaviour is concerned.......watching and waiting.

I agree, chairboy. The "politeness" in most Arab countries is just fake!

I think this is a pivotal moment, John. It's a time to stretch boundaries and test those unspoken "rules". I am hoping that this tragic time will bring real change. Let's not leave it to others, let's not be silent any longer, let's be part of speaking up. One of my friends posted on FB that she feels guilty now for every time she passed a chained emergency exit and just sniffed, "Idiots." It's time. It won't happen at once but for the love of God, let's not be part of the problem. Let's be part of the solution. We're in it for the long haul.
Mandi

I believe the best weapon now is citizen journalism. Take pix, post 'em here, tweet them to dohanews.com. Let's speak up when children's lives are in danger. Shame is a powerful motivator here.
Mandi

Locals continued to smoke in Cafe Vergagno in Villaggio, the no smoking signs were put on the table but ignored. When I mentioned this to one of the waitresses, she just smiled and said what can I do ?

I like this attitude. Im sick to death of arrogance and ignorance with nothing at its heart other than "Stone age" perceptions.

Mandilulur: not only that, but because toilets are on the outside perimeter, or away from the main point-of-view, fire would easily spread to the next floor up.

If this absolute tragedy happened on a single-floored mall, imagine what the outcome would be in somewhere like CityCenter mall that is four or five stories high. Too many tears in my household in the past three days to think too hard about this. However, I believe that someone should be considering hypothetical outcomes of smoking in malls and the unintended consequences that may be involved with that type of antisocial behaviour.