No Smoking apparently is the new religion that binds people. My frustration stems from the total inconsideration of smokers' rights. Mainly at the Dubai Technology & Media Freezone Authority.
Why? Well it is now an official no smoking environment in the buildings i.e. one cannot even smoke during their lunch break and one must leave the premises to go smoke outside the building.
I am all for not smoking in offices, but not in cafes nor restaurants!?!
My colleagues' argument is that it harms others too; driving kills more people annually than smoking! I don't see that banned! Especially driving in the UAE.
People speak of the rights of non-smokers. How about the rights of smokers. If non-smokers wanted fresh air why can't they go outside? I mean why polute the environment, rather have the smoking indoors with appropriate ventillation and filters. This way the harmful smoke is filtered and the environment won't be polluted nor will others be harmed.
This reminded me of the regulations in Ontario, Canada where smoking is banned in all buildings including clubs and bars, so most Ottawans drive to Hull, Quebec to go clubbing as it is permitted to smoke in clubs over there!
Alcohol kills and harms others, I don't see that banned anywhere (some drunks do lose control of their senses and cause harm).
Advanced nations kill, I don't see anyone stopping them.
When are we going to wake up to all the hype that we are sold for the sake of distraction. Till when are smokers going to keep being made to feel guilty, show me ONE Adult without a vice.
Smoking kills, yeah well ignorance kills, stupidity kills, driving kills, the sun kills, salt kills, sugar kills, coffee kills, food kills, water kills, air kills.
EVERYTHING thing KILLS in excess.
Another Ode to a cigarette
pass me our breath
Let my mind rush
In a fervent hush
As I write you,
burn, for your life is in your embers
A silent glow
Of red, white, and grey
As I take you,
Come through and fill me
And hurry! As you thrill me
Surround me with your aroma
As I breathe you,
Crushed, slowly but surely
Between my forefinger and thumb
In your own suffocation
You lie numb
As I kill you,
A temporary existence, of a similar pleasure
In a short need of your breath against mine
Not temporary
As I want you,
Circa May 2005
Al Mulhama
ReplyDeleteWhen a child inhales second hand smoke, that child has not made a conscious choice to smoke, but is affected by your adult choice. This is not just. It is harmful to the health of the child or anyone else in proximity to the smoke. I believe it in the interest of all children to ban smoking in public places. I suspect you drive like you smoke.
Ma'salaama Mama