Opinion | Letters
Letters: May 19, 2010
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 May 19, 2010
Difficult to enter a mall
Hiking the price [of cigarettes] may not solve the problem (“Smokers face tighter restrictions”, Gulf News, May 13). Non-smokers are prone to passive smoking in the city. Even at places like malls, smokers pollute the entrance. So when you try to enter the mall, you absorb enough smoke to endanger your own health although you have never smoked. Malls could provide shoppers with a designated smoking area. Additionally, I would like to bring to the attention of the authorities the menace of littering, with regards to cigarette butts. If there was a law restricting people from the same, similar to Singapore, people would be more careful.
From Mr Mohammad Shiyan Wahab
Abu Dhabi
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Second-hand smoke
Smoking is still a great problem in basement car parks and at the entrances of offices. Every morning and every night I have to inhale second-hand smoke just to get in and out of my building. These people should be targeted with fines as they are damaging the health of others.
From Mr John
Dubai
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Comparatively better
The move is good. But people must keep in mind a few things. Passive smoking is over-exaggerated and has a limited effect on people. You inhale much more harmful substances walking on a street than when entering a mall with smokers around the entrance. Non-smokers should not, in any way, be the target for such campaigns as it is not their health that is in danger, it is the smokers’. Smokers cutting down — or even quitting — should be the aim here, not passive smokers who are at no serious threat. The gas from cars can damage you much more than passive smoking. Inhaling the smoke from 20 cigarettes into your lungs is not the same as taking in a few second-hand puffs as passive smokers. Please be realistic!
From Mr Rami
Dubai
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Take a stand
The world over, there is an uproar and rules upon rules are being formulated to restrict smoking, but not a single country is placing a ban on manufacturing, importing or the sale of cigarettes because it would affect their revenue. Take a stand, for once.
From Mr Latif
Dubai
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Hefty fees
The Ministry of Health must enforce stringent laws to curb this menace. A partial ban on some public places is not enough. Use of tobacco must be restricted to the residences of smokers, if a complete ban is not possible. Authorities must collect a hefty fee from traders if they want to sell tobacco products.
From Mr Dastagir
Trichur, India
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Age limit
It is good to know that the price of cigarettes is increasing. If the age group for people who can buy cigarettes is increased too, it will be much better. Young children are seen smoking more than adults these days. Shops should be banned from selling cigarettes to people who are under the age of 22.
From Mr Abdul Basir
Ajman
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Harsh restrictions
Though I am a smoker, [I think] the new laws are a step in the right direction. We need to limit smoking in public spaces and ban smoking in vehicles altogether. The higher price for a pack means people will smoke less to save money. We choose to smoke, but we should remember that we harm others indirectly through second-hand smoke and it is time to stop this.
From Mr Waleed
Dubai
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Is it beneficial?
Very rarely would a smoker quit if the prices increase. So the point is that this is simply a punishment for smokers. Doubling the price means an extra Dh750 per month. Non-smokers are happy with that. What I would like to know is where would this extra money go? Would it be directed towards a health programme, or is it just an extra expense? The non-smokers would not benefit from the money.
From Mr Raed
Manama, Bahrain
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Through the night
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should introduce a 24-hour Dubai Metro service (“Three more Dubai Metro stations to open”, Gulf News, May 13). It would be the first of its kind! I think the RTA should not have a problem as the Metro is driverless. In terms of feasibility, initially the service can be implemented on weekends and could then be extended at a later stage. Particularly with the Metro connected to Dubai International Airport, I think it would be a good idea.
From Mr Shafi
Dubai
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Duration of trains
Dubai Metro is great for convenience without the hassle of driving a car and finding the space to park it. One area RTA could improve is the duration that a train stops at each station — it could be reduced. It is longer than most places in the world and the few additional seconds at all stations could save a few minutes on efficiency.
From Mr Riaz
Dubai
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Easy access
I thank the RTA for their services. I am staying in Al Barsha area, Dubai and my work place is in Al Garhoud area, next to the GGICO station. I was looking forward to the opening of this Metro station as it will be a great help for me in my commute. Now I hope that the RTA will not take much time to open the Sharaf DG station.
From Mr Vijay Bhushan
Dubai
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