JP/7/letter

JP/7/letter

Smoking and pollution

From Koran Tempo

I would like to respond to a news story published on Feb. 1,
on page B5 of this newspaper (Koran Tempo) under the title of "Rp
50 million fine for smoking in public places."

Indeed, in terms of health maintenance, this fine is right to
impose as the same thing is also done overseas. However, smoking
is not a top priority when dealing with the fight against
pollution in Jakarta.

Members of Jakarta's legislative council should prioritize
proper implementation of public vehicle inspections to ensure
that public vehicles in Jakarta do not emit to much exhaust
smoke.

In this context, the performance of the highway transportation
service must be audited to ensure that they are really doing
their jobs.

A person smokes of his/her own choice, but someone catching a
bus that, let's say, does not fulfill road safety requirements
has very little choice. Firstly, because its the only public
transportation that he/she can afford, and secondly, because the
bus has got a valid vehicle inspection certificate and can
therefore legally operated on the roads.

Many ways have been discussed to cut air pollution in Jakarta
but the city's legislative council has given the green light only
to fines on smoking in public places.

I am a passive smoker because I choose to live with a smoker.
However, can I choose a pollution-free road if I want to cross
the street? Of course not.

Jakarta's legislative councillors must take into account
public priorities before proposing, approving or formulating a
new regulations.

N. HERAWATI

Jakarta