'I support a smoking ban in public places'

'I support a smoking ban in public places'

Indonesia is ranked 7th in the world in terms of the number of
smokers, with around 70 percent of the adult population being
avid smokers, experts say. Buildings, public spaces and even
public transportation vehicles are all the habitual haunts of
smokers. Little has been done by the government to encourage
people kick the habit so far. To mark World No Tobacco Day, which
falls today, The Jakarta Post took time out to talk to some
people about the issue.

Dewi, 26, works as the creative director of a small print
company in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta. She lives in Mangga Dua:

I would be the first to support a ban on smoking in buildings,
public places and on public transportation. I hate being the
victim of second-hand smoke, and always having to inhale the
smoke exhaled by others.

Some of my business colleagues don't seem to care, and even
smoke during meetings in a closed room. That's really upsetting
for me.

I also hate people smoking in restaurants, although some
restaurants provide non-smoking areas with extractor fans. But
even then, the smell gets all over my clothes.

Rizky, 20, is a student at the University of Indonesia. She
lives in Bintaro, Tangerang, with her family:

I often find people smoking aboard public buses and at bus
stops on my way to campus. It is very disturbing ... cigarette
smoke makes me cough. However, I would never dare to say anything
to them -- I'd be too afraid.

Although my university was declared smoke-free last year, you
still find students smoking in the university cafeterias, for
instance. Some of my lecturers even smoke in air-conditioned
classrooms after they open the windows. But even opening the
windows is no good -- the smoke still gets everywhere.

I would really welcome legislation banning people from smoking
in public places.

--The Jakarta Post