Please leave the pack behind

Yes, it's true. Smoking is not good for you; in fact, it is really quite harmful. I do believe it is now considered common knowledge. Statistics tell us that over 20,000 people in Sri Lanka die a year due to tobacco consumption. 50% of heart diseases and 40% of cancers are caused by tobacco cancers. A very high percentage of strokes, chronic obstruction, pulmonary diseases and lung diseases are also due to the use of tobacco.

Yet people continue to take up smoking as some sort of a hobby. Why people ever join such a stupid fad I will never understand. I expect there are many complicated social and habitual undertones in the process of making such a decision.

Surely, Sri Lankans are very far from stupid. We are supposed to be one of the most level-headed groups of people in the world. Then what has made a fair percentage of us still continue with an activity known to be harmful?

One proposed answer is that the big interests prefer things this way. The cigarette market worldwide is dominated by seven giant companies. In this country alone tobacco taxes comprise a heavy proportion of total Government revenue. In 1988 tobacco excise tax amounted to Rs. 2600 million and by 2003 it shot up to Rs. 21000 million. It is obvious we are talking of a powerful interest.

The tobacco manufacturers argue that life is a risky business and people should be allowed to choose how they wish to live their lives. Against this backdrop of deep concern about the right of individuals, the WHO studied the major causes of death worldwide and concluded that in those areas where public health policy could have an impact, tobacco is the most important.

WHO statistics indicate that 50% of all individuals who smoke will eventually die of tobacco-related diseases.

But then, whatever the tobacco manufacturers and WHO say, personally I don't really care if people decide to make their own choices.

It is perfectly within their rights, and it should remain that way. I would strongly defend this right, even if though it remains a poor choice. The problem arises, however, when smokers believe they have the right to smoke wherever they choose.

As I said, I have no problem with people who want to smoke.

All I'm trying to say is that I shouldn't have to be exposed to their second-hand smoke. If I want to travel in a public or private bus or train, or even if I want to go to a park or a recreation hall with some friends, I should not have to be exposed to an airborne poison simply because some people feel the need to feed their addiction. If they choose to accept the health risks, that's fine.

But I shouldn't have to take the same risk, simply because I happen to be in that particular place. And, while on the subject of risks, let me talk about another 'public' place, restaurant. Regardless of who owns the establishment, a restaurant is still a public place and much different from someone's home. Just as there are regulations for ensuring that the food and drinks they serve are safe, so should the air we breathe be suitable for consumption.

That means - no smoking! The rationale is simple. I cannot very well choose to stop eating out. Its my democratic right.

This phenomenon is going global in a big way. Scotland recently adopted a plan to ban smoking in many private places that are open to the public - including bars and restaurants - starting in 2006. Just a few days later UK Health Secretary proposed banning smoking in any place in which prepared food is served.

As a non-smoker all my life, I have to disagree strongly about smokers having the right to light up anywhere they please. As a small time libertarian, my view on social rights comes down to, "you have the right to do anything you like as long as it doesn't interfere with somebody else's rights." Most smokers like to interpret that as supporting their right to smoke, and it does - to a degree.

If we're in a public place and you light up, you're infringing upon my rights. No matter how much I might want to at that point I can't stop breathing.

I simply don't have an option there.

You want the right to smoke in your home? Fine. In your car? No problem.

Outside? It mostly doesn't bother me, as long as I don't have to stand anywhere near you. Just remember - your right to smoke ends with my right to breathe clean air. It's a very simple equation.

And, stupidly simple.