Letters: August 25, 2013

Best results

It shows how the authorities are taking care of their own citizens and expatriates alike (“Smoking banned while driving children under 12”, Gulf News, August 20). Each and every day the authorities think and discuss what they can do to render the best results for the country. Like this smoking ban in cars with children. After all, parents should not smoke in front of their children. If they do want to smoke, they can go to a remote area where children don’t see them. Otherwise soon young children will follow suit.

From Mr Kumar S.

Dubai

Smoking zones

I have seen several people smoking on the sidewalks, too. I hope the authorities consider that as well. It would be great if the authorities set up some smoking zones at regular intervals around the cities, so that people don’t smoke wherever they want to.

From Mr Ravi

Dubai

Website comment

Passive smoking

This is a long overdue law, partly because it will protect children from the effects of passive smoking and partly because these drivers will now have one less thing to distract them. Given how inattentive and casual many of the drivers in the UAE are, this will go a small way in improving the driving standards and reducing the number of accidents on the roads.

From Mr Tim Bradley

Dubai

Public ban

Smoking is a habit that should be culled in a moving car entirely. Be it the driver or the occupants, once the last puff is drawn the lit cigarette butt is flung out of the car’s window. This is a serious issue, as a tiny spark can start a fire. It is my request to the authorities to ban smoking in cars entirely, similar to how they are banned in some public spots like malls, parks, hospitals, petrol stations, schools and universities.

From Mr Harbinder Singh Sethi

Dubai

Ban smoking

Good! The authorities should ban smoking in restaurants next. I am a reformed smoker - sorry!

From Mr Chris Woods

UAE

Facebook comment

Learning curve

It should be banned even if the passengers are above the age of 12. The youth learns from their parents.

From Ms Anupriya D Budhwani

UAE

Facebook comment

Irritating habit

Authorities should completely ban smoking while driving. It is so irritating to watch smokers throw the ash out of their car’s window.

From Mr Haseeb K. P.

UAE

Facebook comment

Lagging behind

I think the new law is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough at all. I think smoking should be banned in all indoor and public places. Even developing countries, like India, have strict implementation of a smoking ban in public places. In this matter the UAE needs to take a lot more initiative if it wants to seriously discourage people from this life consuming habit.

From Mr Rustom Irani

UAE

Smoking in malls

I think the new law is excellent. I personally think it is better to ban smoking in other places, too, such as shopping malls. When you are entering a mall, you see a large number of people smoking at the entrance. This is harmful for children.

From Ms Marlito V.

UAE

Too much sugar

I have seen mothers filling their baby’s bottles with some kind of soft drink (“Children’s intake of soft drinks must be minimal”, Gulf News, August 20). The results of this later will be rotten teeth due to too much sugar intake. Natural juices are much better for health. These are not harmful if taken in moderation.

From Ms Ann Anne

UAE

Facebook comment

Spend extra

When a soda is given for free along with a purchased meal, as compared to paying an additional Dh8 for a natural juice, no mother will bother to spend extra. Consumers need to be educated about the dangers hidden in soft drinks and fast food. Sadly, no campaigns are carried out to create such awareness!

From Ms Nawaf Abu Ghazaléh

UAE

Facebook comment

Bad for health

Soft drinks are harmful for adults, so how can we even think of giving it to children. Our four-year-old child has been trained not to take soft drinks, as a result of which he does not even have it at parties where other children are having them. He says to them it’s bad for their health. But it’s sad to see that soft drinks are served at school parties for even children in kindergarten. I think soft drinks should be banned from school premises.

From Ms Mahnaaz Shaikh

UAE

Facebook comment

Educate parents

Which educated and aware parent gives soda to children? Everywhere in the world people are being educated against even giving juice boxes as they primarily consist of sugar and preservatives. Doctors advise against the consumption of even a lot of natural freshly squeezed juices as well. Only water is what is required by the human body.

From Ms Sara

UAE

Facebook comment

Prayer timings

Being a Gulf News reader for more than 20 years, I have a suggestion to make with regards to the display of prayer timings in the newspaper. I remember that the prayer timings were displayed on the front page of the main paper for several years, but was later shifted to the last few pages of ‘The Views’ section. We were glad to see the timings back to the front page during Ramadan, but they were again reverted back to ‘The Views’ once Ramadan ended. On behalf of several Gulf News readers, I would like to request the newspaper to position the prayer timings on the front page itself, so that it can be conveniently seen rather than flipping through pages to check the timings.

From Ms Saarah A.

UAE

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