Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 4 Num 271 Tue. March 02, 2004  
   
Letters to Editor


Smoking in public places


A few days ago I started my classes at university. The first day I went to my university canteen I was appalled by the lack of ignorance of students and university authorities about smoking in public. I know that these students know about the harmful effects of smoking and still people consciously indulge in smoking. So I am not going to deliver a lecture on why or how you should quit smoking which you may claim as your `personal matter`, but when your personal choices affect us badly, there is something you should know about and care about.

I believe not many are concerned about how deadly passive smoking can be. While 90 percent of lung cancer is caused by smoking, the remaining 10 per cent is caused primarily by second- hand or passive smoking. In the USA alone more than 50, 000 people die annually because of passive smoking. It doubles the possibility of developing heart diseases.

If smoking can be prohibited in California in public places like bars and casinos why cannot it be banned in public places here at least in the educational institutions and offices? Why should I, being a non smoker, die of lung cancer because of your choice?