However, outside the home there are still other places where children are exposed to tobacco smoke. Parks, where many children play, are one of them.

Although it is legal to smoke in certain areas of parks, children are still exposed to this smoke. This is a threat to children's health.

The government should do away with smoking areas in parks. Don't let children become the innocent victims of cigarette smoke.

Kong Ka-yi, Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun)

Drivers need a warning on idling

Air pollution in Hong Kong is becoming worse. To reduce roadside emissions, the government plans to fine drivers HK$320 if they leave their engines idling for more than three minutes.

I agree with this law. One of the main source of pollution is our busy traffic system.

We cannot ask people not to use cars because they are necessary in our daily lives. But we can try our best to protect our environment and reduce exhaust emissions. One way is to turn off idling engines.

Of course, there are loopholes, such as how that three minutes is measured. Can the police start counting the time with no warning? Is the count accurate?

I suggest giving drivers a warning if they have engines idling. The police can then write down the time and start the three-minute countdown.

Nicole Leung Wing-tung, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College

Pros and cons of overseas study

More parents are sending their children overseas for higher education. This can be either a blessing or a curse.

Advantages include being able to learn another language. For example, by studying on the mainland, you can learn Putonghua. If you go to Britain, you can improve your English.

You can also gain experience from real life, not just knowledge from textbooks. You can also learn to communicate with foreigners, which is important because Hong Kong is an international city.

Students overseas can gain knowledge about other people's cultures and learn how to be independent.

On the other hand, those studying overseas have to leave their parents. They will miss time with their families. Students and their parents may drift apart.

During some festivals, students who study overseas will feel lonely as they celebrate alone. This would be especially so at Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which are important Chinese festivals.

Parents should think carefully before sending their children overseas to study.

Cecilia Ng

Voluntary fun

Our school arranged for some mentally disabled children to visit us recently.

Two groups of Form Six students organised some games and played with them.

Through the interaction of the games, we came to understand each other better.

Some people may think disabled children are troublesome, but in fact they are optimistic.

By the time we had been playing the games for an hour, the child I looked after remembered my name.

It really made me happy, as I didn't think we could develop a bond in such a short period of time.

Being a volunteer is not about looking for rewards, but enjoying the process, correcting our misunderstandings and broadening our horizons.

Emma, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School