First smoking, next apartments?

First smoking, next apartments?

From Warta Kota

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso's plan to issue a local regulation
banning people from smoking in public places will surely be
welcomed by most citizens in the capital as good health is indeed
the right of everyone.

Many smokers may feel they have the right to smoke anywhere
they like, and some do not hesitate to puff out cigarette smoke
in front of non-smokers. Research has shown that such second-hand
smoke contains toxic elements like carbon monoxide, hydrogen
cyanide, formaldehyde and nicotine.

The governor should, however, follow up on the move with
another humanitarian effort, this time by improving conditions in
Jakarta's slums. For instance, low-cost apartments for the poor
should be built in former slum areas that have been razed by
fire.

Should their not be enough money for this, the shortfall could
be made up by donations from the presidential and vice
presidential candidates. Those personnel who have been sent on
comparative studies abroad should also help solve the city's slum
problem.

M. JAFFRI
Tangerang, Banten