'Government should close tobacco factories'

'Government should close tobacco factories'

Although doubts still linger as to the effectiveness of the newly
endorsed bylaw banning smoking in public places, the Jakarta
administration has set up smoking rooms in some government
offices. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinion on
the issue.

Sonny Lubis, 25, is an aircrew member of Garuda Indonesia
Airways. He lives on Jl. Darmawangsa, South Jakarta:

I agree with the regulation to restrict smoking in public
areas as long as there are alternatives, such as smoking rooms or
spaces in restaurants, hotels, or malls.

The policy is needed to make Indonesians, especially
Jakartans, become aware of public health and welfare.

Actually, I would like to see the government take real action
against the violators.

Usin, 36, is a small-scale entrepreneur. He lives in Pondok
Kacang, near Serpong, Tangerang:

I have been smoking since I was 18.

Personally, I think the regulation will not be effective and
was only issued to satisfy some people.

How will they enforce it? I will just ignore it.

For me, smoking is a hard-to-kick habit. If they want to ban
smoking, they should close the factories.

Right now, even though some malls ban smoking inside the
building, I still smoke while strolling in the hallways, not in
the stores. The security people at the malls never bother me
about it.

-- The Jakarta Post