THE EDITOR, Sir:
FOR YEARS, smoking has been getting up people's noses and it is the most controversial social issue of the day. Now, after all the hollow huffing and puffing, the Government must force the toughest action on smokers and the tobacco industry, including a complete ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship. It could mean a ban on smoking in restaurants, in pubs and at work.
DAMAGING ELECTORAL CHANCES
While it's true smoking does damage your health, such a policy could also damage the Government's electoral chances. If thirty per cent of the population smokes, that is an awful lot of voters to alienate. It will take a very brave party to do it. Nevertheless, they should be bold enough to say that everyone who wants to eat, drink or work in a smoke-free atmosphere should be allowed to do so.
We non-smokers have the right to demand this facility and firms will be obliged to provide it. If the policy comes into force, it will be the biggest victory yet for the anti-smoking lobby and a huge blow for the country's thousands of smokers and the lucrative tobacco industry. The ban will signal an end to smoky evenings in the pubs, which leave non-smokers coughing and smelling like 40-a-day addicts. Most importantly, we will not have to fear for our children's lives when we take them to public places where smokers and non-smokers sit side by side. For example, more than three hundred people a year die from lung cancer caused by passive smoking in Britain. A further six million asthma sufferers are in danger of getting severe or even fatal attacks by breathing somebody else's smoke. All these lives are at risk by allowing smoking in public. A ban is the only sensible course to follow.
It should be illegal to smoke in pubs, restaurants, offices and on public transport. Children are hospitalised every year due to the effects of passive smoking. I think in particular, under-fives, whose parents smoke, are more likely to suffer than other children from chronic lung disease and asthma.
Other nations are ahead of the game when it comes to the chilling health warning. In Australia, smoking is banned in all airports, cinemas and at big businesses such as IBM and Shell. It is an entirely different story in Jamaica.
NATIONWIDE LAWS
Currently, four countries have nationwide laws prohibiting smoking in enclosed workplaces and public places, including bars and restaurants.
On 29 March 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in all workplaces. This was followed by Norway in June 2004. New Zealand wasted no time and demanded smokers to vamoose from enclosed places in December 2004. Bhutan loves the healthy living and enforced the law in March 2005. Legislation has been passed in nine U.S. States and nine Canadian provinces and territories. The good old Scotland will also become smoke-free from March 2006.
Three cheers to Malta, Sweden, Italy and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island for banning smoking in workplaces, but allowing designated smoking rooms in bars and restaurants. England is 'if and butting' what to do. Where is my beloved Jamaica? What plan does the Government have in store for healthy living?
I am, etc.,
HERO SCOTT
hero.scott@skynet.be
Hertogenlaan 98
Wezembeek-Oppem
Belgium
Via Go-Jamaica
