I RECENTLY went for supper at a prominent nasi kandar restaurant in Seberang Jaya. I felt very uncomfortable and irritated while having my meal as about 30% of the people there were smoking.

I looked around the restaurant and there were no “No Smoking” signs displayed. There were countless cigarette butts on the floor and, needless to say, ash on the floor and on the used plates and glasses.

I respect smokers’ decision to smoke all they want. However, I choose to be a non-smoker. But why isn’t my decision respected? With smokers at all corners of the eatery, I can’t help but inhale the smoke and be a second-hand smoker. Where are my rights as a non-smoker?

The restaurant owners are to blame, too. How can they allow smokers to carry on their habit in their restaurant when there are non-smoking customers there?

When countries like France, Italy, Spain and England have banned smoking even in bars, is it that difficult to ban smoking in eateries in our country?

What a shame; smoking has been banned in public places here only on paper, as there is no enforcement. How much longer are the authorities going to wait before imposing fines on those restaurants?

To the restaurant owners, please emphasise on a smoke-free environment at your restaurant. I hope a healthy environment is not too much to ask for.

RENU,

Penang.

Source: The Star – January 10, 2008