I WAS quite disappointed to read yet another letter of complaint in your columns concerning cigarette smokers. This time it was Manesh Bacani (South China Morning Post, May 31) bantering on about having the potential enjoyment of a film spoiled because of - shock, horror dare I say ah - smokers in the cinema.
Frankly, although not a smoker myself, I am beginning to get tired of people complaining simply for the sake of it. What ever happened to freedom of choice. Moreover, why should a smoker have to sit through a film - some two hours long - without being able to have a cigarette. Perhaps we should stop cinema goers from eating popcorn, crisps or even go as far as to refrain them from drinking whilst watching the movie.
Admittedly, it is forbidden by law to smoke inside a cinema, but one should think of the business Cathay Pacific is undoubtedly now losing by adopting its No Smoking policy on its flights to London. And, quite rightly so! Why should you have to endure a 15-hour flight without a cigarette when you could choose to fly an alternative airline which respects your freedom of choice? Finally, Manesh Bacani, whilst I respect your right to be able to choose not to smoke I also respect the smokers perspective. Why don't you try, as you expect them, to see the other side of the coin? Perhaps then we can circumvent the protracted correspondence on the subject that always seems to appear in these columns; enabling us then to expend more time on worthier discussions.
CHARLES McFAULDS Western
