High time for ministry to show some backbone on smoking ban

I REFER to the letter “Bone to pick with Health Ministry on move to make smokers quit”

( The Star, Oct 16). The arguments made by the writer are flawed and absurd. Most of them have also been debunked by Dr Murallitharan M. in his letter “Debunking smokers’ views” ( The Star, Sept 18). The writer would know this if he is diligent enough to read up.

The writer is observing the smoking ban in places that are already gazetted so what is the fuss over obeying another smoking ban in eateries? Do we, the non-smokers (who, mind you, are the majority), have no right to enjoy our meal peacefully without your smoke? Don’t the articles of the Federal Constitution protect our rights too?

I fully respect the writer’s wish to continue smoking despite acknowledging the risks and health concerns. However, if in the future the writer suffers from any health complications like cancer, respiratory diseases or other chronic illness, please foot your own medical bill. Our public health resources, which are already very stretched, would be better utilised to serve the needy groups. According to a 2007 study, RM2.92bil is spent just to treat smoking-associated diseases.

The various pollution problems require more effort and cross-ministerial collaboration. I am sure the government is already looking into ways of tackling them. Perhaps the initiative to ban smoking in eateries would act as a stepping stone for greater success in curbing the pollution conundrum. I sincerely hope there will be some brilliant entrepreneur with an idea on how to clean up the massive number of cigarette butts which are polluting our environment.

I would like to urge the Health Ministry to expand the smoking ban to include vaping and shisha smoking too. Enough studies have shown the detrimental health effects of these cigarette alternatives. The appeal by restaurant owners to have designated smoking areas should not be entertained. Often, the smoke would seep into the non-smoking area due to unclosed doors and poor ventilation.

To the smokers, enough is enough. We have tolerated your smoke all these years; it is time to obey the smoking ban. Otherwise, please quit smoking altogether. There are almost 700 MQuit centres nationwide offering an integrated quit smoking service encompassing both public and private facilities.

DR RICHARD NG RJ Public Health activist Kuala Lumpur