View lost in a cloud of smoke

I CANNOT believe the naivety displayed by Derek Gould in his letter written on behalf of the Secretary of Health (South China Morning Post, January 7) about ferry staff taking action against illegal smokers. Can't he see all that is easier said than done? If Hongkong Ferry Company staff are really told to keep an eye out for those breaking the No-Smoking rule, it is probably done with a wink because the personnel I see regularly on the Lamma, Lantau and Cheung Chau ferries seem to me to be totally blind and dumb.

They would never dream of enforcing that silly regulation, not only because they do not believe in it, but because they rightly fear losing face if they are ignored - or worse, getting chopped in the neck, once they get off the ferry, by the toughies whopuff away brazenly on the lower decks right under the signs threatening $5,000 fines.

All I can say to Mr Gould is: Get Real, Derek! RENATA LOPEZ New Territories