So many evident risks, yet people keep smoking
I agree with the poll analysis and also feel that “increasing the price of tobacco through higher taxes is the single most effective way to encourage tobacco users to quit and prevent children from starting to smoke” (‘Poll analysis: Readers talk about tobacco tax’, Gulf News, May 26). One of the most common problems today that is killing people all over the world is smoking. We all know there are many disadvantages to smoking. Cigarette packs themselves have a warning about the dangers of smoking. It leads to lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, asthma and a wide variety of other diseases. Besides affecting oneself, it also has a negative impact on others around the smoker. In addition to that, any pregnant women who are exposed to cigarette smoke would have an increased risk of having an abnormal baby, or be prone to miscarriage. There are over 4,000 toxic substances in a cigarette. Smoking is nothing but slow suicide. We all know that smoking will kill a person in the long term and I feel that this is the worst investment that a person can make in his lifetime. I hope that people understand the value of their lives and stop smoking, at least due to the selective tax the UAE is implementing.
From Ms Megna Rajagopal
UAE
Discrimination
This man is lucky to be alive, considering the trigger-happy reputation of the police in the US (‘Emirati files lawsuit against police mistreatment in US’, Gulf News, May 26). Last year, someone in the US had reported this Emirati to the police, because of his attire and out of fear of him speaking Arabic. I wish him every success in compelling the various organisations involved to acknowledge their mistakes and brutality.
From Mr Glenis Stevenson
UAE
Facebook comment
Better as partners
I am Pakistani and I believe that both governments from Pakistan and India should look at the bigger picture, and come out of their shells of ego and stubbornness (‘Border clashes seen to force Pakistan defence spending boost’, Gulf News, May 26). Imagine peace between the two nations, and how all the money on both sides of the border could be used to eradicate poverty.
From Mr Mohammad Ebrar
UAE
Facebook comment
Reallocate spending
Instead of spending large amounts of money on bombs and guns, Pakistan’s government should be spending that money on hospitals, schools and on the welfare of its own people.
From Mr Paul Kinnock
Al Ain
Facebook comment
The girl and the sea lion
My first reaction to the video was how ridiculous people can be, to let their children sit on the edge of a dock (‘Sea lion drags girl into Steveston waters’, Gulf News, May 23). However, I didn’t expect the girl to be swiftly dragged into the water by a sea lion. Amidst all the tension, we also need to acknowledge the person who quickly dove in to save the girl, without having any second thoughts.
But, we humans often forget that these are wild animals. They are not trained to be friendly with people, nor is it their inborn tendency. We just need to thank God that the girl wasn’t harmed.
From Ms Aisha Siraj
UAE
A Bond icon
Roger Moore was a wonderful American actor who stole the hearts of many, as James Bond (‘Moore was more than a movie star, Gulf News, May 25). I still remember watching his movie, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, in my younger days. That was my first English movie. It carried me to a world of fantasy and paved the way to watch Roger Moore’s movies, like ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’. All his films were blockbusters and he was one of the most highly paid artistes at the time, but simultaneously, he was a humble person and supported various charity organisations for children. History creates few people who will be remembered in our hearts. Adieu, Roger Moore!
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
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