'Many people just ignore No Smoking signs'

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 06/04/2004 9:09 AM  |  Jakarta

There were a million more smokers in the country in 2003, than eight years earlier. Despite antitobacco campaigns, smokers are ""lighting up"" in any place that is convenient -- buildings, public spaces and even on public transportation. The Jakarta Post asked a few residents for their stance on smoking in public places.

Kuswandi, 30, is a taxi driver, who rents a house with his family in Cipinang Besar Selatan subdistrict, East Jakarta:

I smoke around five cigarettes a day. But, I support any effort from the government to limit smoking in public places, such as on public transportation.

Such a regulation is needed because there are still many smokers who are seemingly ignorant that their habit annoys others.

A smoker, who decides to smoke on the bus, can disturb the comfort of everyone else.

I prohibit my passengers from smoking inside the taxi. I smoke after meals, or when taking a rest. I am trying to stop smoking, but, so far, it's not successful.

Rosari Siahaan, 27, is a nurse at a private hospital in East Jakarta. She lives in Klender, East Jakarta with her family:

People have become more selfish. They often smoke aboard public buses, ignoring the other passengers. Once, a smoker told me ""take a taxi, drive your own car if you want better conditions"". That's really annoying.

I think awareness among our society of the dangers of smoking is very low. When they see a ""no smoking"" sign in a public place -- such as a mall, restaurant, even a hospital -- they seem to be suddenly illiterate.

That is why I agree with any regulation to restrict smoking in public places.

--The Jakarta Post

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