Smoking ban on ferries for safety's sake

I REFER to the letter written by Virginia Cattell headlined 'Smoking laws ineffectual' (South China Morning Post, August 29).

I agree with everything she says about the blatant disregard for the no-smoking regulations by passengers and ferry crew. The main area for smoking seems to be the open-air decks at the back of the boats.

Anyone doubting that smoking is taking place on the ferries, or indeed anyone claiming that the no-smoking rule is being enforced, need only go and stand on these outer decks for a few moments before someone will light up. Alternatively, a visit to the outer deck after the ferry has docked, to see the cigarette stubs on the floor, would show that the laws are being ignored.

I can understand why smokers feel that by smoking in the open air they are not doing any harm. However, if the wind blows smoke towards other passengers it can be very unpleasant.

The main point, however, is one of safety. The no-smoking regulation is there to prevent possible fires on these ferries and it is, therefore, essential that Hong Kong ferry staff step up their patrols and prosecute offenders. It is not a case of the anti-smoking lobby versus the smokers, but one of safety versus carelessness.

I cannot therefore agree with Ms Cattell's final point, that smoking should be allowed on the lower deck of the ferries. It fails to appreciate that the no-smoking rule is not there just for the comfort of non-smokers, it is there for the safety of all passengers.