Smokers and 'Post' cartoon

Smokers and 'Post' cartoon

I am very much concerned about the cartoon published in The
Jakarta Post, Feb. 19, which described the Jakarta governor as
blaming smokers for causing pollution in the capital.

It is true that smoking risks the health of millions of people
from all walks of life in the city, including slum dwellers, who
are generally active smokers while their homes are poorly
ventilated.

Employees and students traveling by bus also have to spend
hours inhaling the fumes of other smokers. This is made worse
during the rainy season, when nearly all windows in the bus have
to be closed.

The cartoonist should have read letters and articles on the
same page about the same public complaints, while this newspaper
should have avoided criticizing what the public has shown its
deep concern about.

SUSILOWATI R.
Jakarta