'Smokers are not criminals'

The Jakarta City Council has endorsed a new bylaw that bans smokers from lighting up in most public offices and requires building managers to provide smoking areas. The Jakarta Post asked a few people to comment on the new ruling.

Henry Simarmata, 30, works with a legal aid foundation in Matraman, East Jakarta. He lives in a rented house in Cililitan, East Jakarta:

I think it is quite extreme to punish smokers with an unreasonable Rp 50 million fine for violating the bylaw. Smokers are not criminals. They are not breaching any serious offenses, like rapists, for an example. Besides, emissions produced by smoking cigarettes are not nearly as hazardous as vehicular emissions or industrial emissions.

Most of my colleagues at the office are smokers. That's why I am used to it. Personally, I don't have any problem being around smokers, even though I am not a smoker.

I think the problem lies in the sequestration issue, or how to provide a designated area within public places for smokers to light up.

Reza, 25, works for a financial company on Jl. Pemuda, East Jakarta. He lives with his family in Mampang, South Jakarta:

Most of my friends are active smokers, but I welcome the new bylaw. I think it is unfair to make non-smokers suffer respiratory problems due to their exposure to smokers.

However, I doubt the ruling can be implemented smoothly, like a similar ruling in Singapore.

I think there will be mounting opposition and rejection. It won't be easy for most of people to kick the bad habit of smoking in public places.

The program may be successful if the implementation of the bylaw also treats smokers fairly. The smoking zones should be designated not too far from the main premises. The key is that both smokers and non-smokers must have their own space in the public places.

--The Jakarta Post