'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