Govt should declare all public areas no-smoking zones, set up rooms for smokers

As mentioned in the letter “NEA should work closely with public to enforce smoking ban” (May 31), the number of non-smoking areas is increasing, and smokers can claim that they are unaware of and are confused by the many extensions of the ban.

The placing of no-smoking signs all over parks and public establishments can also be unsightly.

I suggest that the Government declare all public areas to be non-smoking zones and instead set up well-ventilated and -filtered smoking rooms at various locations for smokers to have their puff.

No one should be seen smoking in public other than inside these rooms. This would create a healthy environment on our island, for citizens and visitors.

We can take further steps by dispensing cigarettes in sticks instead of packs from dispensing machines in the smoking rooms, which could also be accessible only by scanning one’s identity card to verify the smoker’s age.

Implementing all these would confine smoking and unhealthy secondary smoke, and control underage smoking — not to mention littering.

Smokers might get discouraged, which would benefit them and their family’s health.