Letters: Saturday, June 9, 2012

Choose a side
I have little faith in the World Health Organisation (WHO) when it comes to campaigns against tobacco (‘World No Tobacco Day: WHO calls for tougher fight against smoking’, Gulf News, May 31). If smoking was so bad then why not put an end to its production? On one end most countries worldwide participate in either the production or the sales of tobacco – they make money of it. And on the other end these very countries and health organisations keep saying that tobacco is not good for the health. Come on, take a stand. If you don’t want people to smoke, then kill tobacco forever by putting an end to its production.
From Ms Latif Shaikh
Dubai
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Addicts
Nicotine addiction is one of the most dreaded addictions for humans and most importantly it is very easy to get it at a reasonable price. So the damage is more when we talk about the entire world. I read somewhere that smoking is defined as having fire at one end and a fool at the other. I have never come across such a truth with so much conviction in my life. To bring one short example, my father was a chain smoker until a few years ago. When I was eight years old I tried to convince him on every occasion to battle his addiction. He is now a hero in my eyes as he fought the battle for a long time and finally won it. I thank Dubai Municipality for stopping the selling of tobacco for a day. The next step would be to stop it completely. I sincerely hope that one day we will overcome all the socioeconomic issues related to this addiction and eradicate the words “nicotine addiction” from our dictionary.
From Mr Unmesh Datta
Sharjah

The only way to quit
They should completely ban the sales of cigarettes in the UAE. That’s the only way I will stop smoking. It will also help many more like me to quit.
From Mr Amjad Khan
Dubai
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Ban it
Please restrict residents in buildings from smoking in their toilets, thereby causing the odour to travel to the floors above them. Even after daily requests they continue to smoke. The authorities must ban this practice and impose heavy fines if the rule is violated.
From Mr John Verghese
Sharjah
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Nothing is done
Both the WHO and world leaders come out once in a while and on World No Tobacco Day to raise their concerns on tobacco consumption and its health hazards. They spend a fortune in advertisements and awareness programmes educating the public about cigarettes’ various health hazards. My humble question to the WHO and the world leaders is what stops them from eliminating the complete production of tobacco items worldwide? Once these items are not in production, then there is no export, import, distribution and sales to the public. The answer is that neither the WHO nor world leaders have the political will power to take such a healthy decision. They make money from the high taxation on tobacco products. In fact it is a business for tobacco manufacturers, the media and marketing companies with various promotional activities without any concern for public health. No matter what awareness comes from the health authorities, medical professionals or social media, tobacco consumption will continue as long as tobacco products are in production and distribution. Smokers will smoke even if the price is increased, just like how drivers drive even if fuel prices are doubled.
From Mr M. Arath
Dubai

Don’t risk it
I urge all residents in the UAE to stop playing with their life. Life is the best gift a human being can get from God. Please don’t misuse it as it will never come back again. Speeding, using a mobile phone and not paying attention while driving is dangerous. It is because of these factors that people are admitted to hospitals. Sometimes the few seconds that you are engrossed on your phone, can change your life totally. Anything can happen to the person in those few seconds. To respect this gift of life please pay full attention while on the road. Forget the world, relations and all the other worries while driving and concentrate on the road. If we all take this pledge, slowly one day there will be no accidents on roads. I remember a saying: When a person sits in the driving seat they have their passengers and other drivers’ lives in their hands.
From Mr Raunak Kapur
Sharjah

Another milestone
It is good news that Facebook’s Middle East and North Africa operation will be starting in Dubai (‘Facebook’s Dubai office opens its doors’, Gulf News, May 31). This is another milestone for the world famous tourist destination. Dubai is already on the global map for its international film festivals and the addition of the prestigious social network will only add value.
From Mr K.Ragavan
Chennai, India
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