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SCMP Reporter

Imagine people coughing everywhere. Imagine air that is so filthy you cannot breathe. Imagine Hong Kong blanketed in smoke.

How could we live in such an environment? Smoking, in my opinion, should be banned in all public areas.

Cigarettes are the main culprits of lung and heart diseases.

It is a known fact that smoking is detrimental to our health.

Worse still, passive smokers are subject to the same health hazards.  And children of smokers have a higher risk of bronchitis.

Smoking does not only en danger smokers' health, but also the health of those around them.

Smoking in public areas leads to air pollution.

The unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke is not only hard to bear, but also makes the city less attractive.

Air pollution is already a serious problem in Hong Kong, and smoking in public areas worsens it.

Teenagers are easily influenced by what they see. If people around them are smoking, they will be more likely to pick up the bad habit or think it is acceptable behaviour.

They will think it is trendy or 'cool' to smoke.

Some people may argue that  everyone, including smokers, have the right to choose their habits. But this is not 100 per cent true. For example, if a person has the habit of hitting people, does that mean others around him have to accept his behaviour?

The answer is no, because it  harms other people.

The same applies to smoking. Smokers have the right to smoke, but not at the expense of others. They should not abuse their freedom.

They can smoke at home and in places where their habit does not affect others.

Maggie is a student at Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School



Smoking should be banned in public areas