No more smoking: enough is enough!

The letter by Conny Dittrich (January 5) merits a good reply. Indeed, I should thank her because it should serve as a golden opportunity for readers to give their contributions in favour of the new anti-smoking laws.

The letter says: "Today, smokers are the lepers of society". In addition to this sentence, I write: But indeed, yesterday, non-smokers (more precisely called "passive smokers") were the victims of a filthy, smoking society.

I do understand the message that Ms Dittrich is trying to convey to the authorities concerned. On the other hand, as we always say, "health comes first and foremost", and for no reason whatsoever should passive smoking (referred to as second-hand smoking in her letter) be even dreamt about because nowadays science has also discovered the deadly ill effects associated with forced smoking.

In fact, contrary to what Ms Dittrich is trying to make us believe, I recall how Mrs X had died from lung cancer when she never touched a cigarette in her life. This was however attributed to the fact that her husband used to smoke at home. As a consequence, they both died more or less at the same age, in their mid-50s. Hence, second-hand smoking also kills and so this is far from being some sort of anecdote. The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirms this fact.

Even if passive smoking had no harmful effects on our precious health, the presence and smell of smoke in a closed environment, such as places of work, cinemas, bars and restaurants, is disgusting and not so encouraging to our taste buds. However, I do understand the social aspect of these unfortunate people who choose to smoke their life away. Smokers, as long as they respect our laws, should not be discriminated in any way, and should be respected and receive the necessary assistance to help them quit and overcome the withdrawal symptoms of dependences, as with any other drugs of abuse.

I also sympathise with the owners of entertainment outlets who claim that their financial incomes have decreased due to the anti-smoking laws in force. Designated smoking rooms, as the law lays down, should help to alleviate this problem.

I also respect the opinion of whoever wants to criticise anything in public, as true democracy permits. However, one must bear in mind that positive laws that care for our lives cannot be hindered in any way, and must be enforced all out.

Our anti-smoking laws are so justified that other developed European countries such as Spain, followed suit. In some states of America, there are also anti-smoking police squads and in some Australian beaches, smoking is also prohibited!

As an appreciation to what Jeremy J. Camilleri wrote again (January 6), I beg the Police Commissioner to understand our cries. Murder, drugs and human trafficking, robberies and rapes are among the top criminal offences that daily dominate our media. It is, however, high time we also start seeing on the news the selfish pro-smokers being arraigned. Non-smokers and health conscious people in general need no longer endure the torments of the smoking community. Please, we want to live. Enough is enough.