SIR — Your recent editorial about public smoking mixes rational and irrational statements. Evidently no proper consideration was given to the abundant scientific evidence of the harmful effects of tobacco and the best practices around the world. It is a fact that secondhand smoking causes cancer in healthy non-smokers. Simple separation of smokers from non-smokers, without a physical barrier does not offer adequate protection to the non-smokers! The BAT Courtesy of Choice Programme completely ignores the rights of the waitresses and waiters who are also entitled to a clean and healthy environment!!
NEMA is dutifully protecting the constitutional rights of those who choose not to smoke. As for no more tobacco advertising, look around you! Printed adverts may have stopped but what is the B & H Street Bash? BATU spent up to sh20m advertising one such event on radio and television! What about all the pub signs sponsored by BATU? Regarding enforceability of the smoking ban, just leave it to the people! Generally, people will prefer to breathe clean air all the time. That’s why the surveys show overwhelming support for the ban. As for diesel fumes, have you ever seen anyone sucking on an exhaust pipe?
Phillip Karugaba
TEAN (Uganda)