An important breakthrough in consumer rights was set on March 15, 1962. It was on that day that President John F. Kennedy announced the four basic consumer rights - the right to information, the right to choose, the right to safety and the right to be heard - on which subsequent legislation protecting citizens from unscrupulous practices in many countries would be based.

Not being Maltese, perhaps JFK can be forgiven for overlooking the obvious when he omitted adding another fundamental citizen right: the right to a good night's sleep. This right is being progressively trampled upon in Malta due to lack of law enforcement and also because any legislation on public peace is obsolete and out of sync with the social and technological environment.

It seems that the discussion on Green issues is focusing excessively on emissions caused by fossil fuels and not enough attention is being given to the real threat of noise pollution in Malta, which is a major cause of sleep disorders, particularly in the summer season. This is surely costing the country millions of euros in medication, lost productivity and flared tempers. Ask the thousands of households that are constantly being deprived of sleep in the central area of Malta because of Club Numero Uno and Gianpula. The police have been utterly powerless in stopping these atrocities. The standard reply one gets from them is: Your complaint is justified but they have a permit. In other words: Just lump it.

The following recommendations can be implemented to restore the gift of Morpheus back to the common people:

• Any activities using sound systems, or which disturb the public peace, in open areas will not be allowed to extend beyond 11 p.m.

• Permits for any such activities beyond 11 p.m., both indoors and outdoors, will be granted to organisers or owners of establishments who guarantee full soundproofing.

• All permits for establishments or organisations to hold activities and functions will be subject to a sound audit to ensure that noise emissions do not exceed an established benchmark of decibels even if held before 11 p.m.

• These establishments/organisers will also be responsible for ensuring that, even when a sound system is outsourced, say, a wedding in a hotel, it is compliant with the legal parameters.

• Outdoor "one offs", such as annual village feasts, rock concerts etc., may be granted a higher decibel threshold provided the activity stops by midnight.

• The use of mobile discos, including automotive hi-fi equipment that disturbs the public peace will be declared illegal.

• Any noisy equipment or use of equipment that causes excessive noise (like generators) will either have to be soundproofed or be switched off at night.

• Stiff fines, and also closure of establishment, will be imposed on anyone infringing these regulations.

• People should be provided with an immediate means of redress when infringements are reported.

This should be an issue on which there is political consensus.

Both the government and the opposition should not give in to nonsense arguments that such regulations would disrespect our culture or that they will have a negative impact on tourism.

The phenomenon of holding activities with sound systems that are heard from four kilometres away is completely unrelated to Maltese traditions and culture. Moreover, even tourists are entitled to sleep and the prevailing state of affairs surely runs counter to upgrading the tourism product.

For example, how can one reconcile the concept of eco-Gozo with a situation where tourists who visit Malta for a quiet holiday in our unique farmhouses have to suffer disturbances till the early hours of the morning caused by functions held in hotels and nightspots?

Many tourists will vouch that these measures are no different to the ones implemented in their own countries. What is allowed to transpire in Malta is unthinkable even in the most remote banana republics.

These recommendations are simple and should be easy to implement and enforce. They do not in any way infringe on the right to party and will just serve to reconcile the desire to celebrate and socialise with the needs of those who have a right to a night's rest.

This is not an "us and them" issue because the same people who enjoy social functions in the various forms also look forward to sleeping comfortably. Thus, these measures will benefit the vast majority of Maltese and tourists.

Establishments that are not equipped to respect this fundamental right will either have to invest to be compliant or else change the nature of their business. In a civilised society, one expects no less.