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