Total ban plea

I have been following the debate, through these columns, on whether smoking should be banned in places such as bars and restaurants and if restaurant owners should be allowed to choose.

I don't think the government should let restaurateurs make up their own minds. We would end up with a situation where some restaurants were for non-smokers, some for smokers and some 50-50. Enforcement of any law would be impossible.

The government should take a firm stance. Smoking should not be allowed in any public places. And the threat that smokers will desert their favourite restaurants is an empty one.

Look at all the airlines which introduced no-smoking flights. Has this led to there being fewer passengers? I don't think so.

JAN ARKESTEIJN

Tuen Mun