Smoking hazards

Dear Sir,

There has been a hue and cry over smoking in public places, resulting in some restrictions on the habit. But no one really seems to  address the issue of hazards of smoking indoors.
The other day I was travelling on a Karwa taxi and I started a friendly dialogue with the driver. He felt comfortable and soon offered me a cigarette which I politely declined, saying that I didn’t smoke. But he lit his cigarette and started smoking, after partially opening the window on his side. I requested him to open the window at my side also, while advising him to quit smoking, which he ignored.
People smoking inside cars even while travelling with children and their families is a common sight on Doha’s streets. They don’t seem bothered about the health risks of passive smoking.
Second-hand smoke, experts tell us, is a danger to everyone, but children and pregnant women are most vulnerable. Passive smoking increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or cot death), middle ear disease in children, asthma, respiratory illnesses, lung cancer and coronary heart disease, according to a website.
Some offices in Doha are like smoke chambers. In offices where superiors are smokers, their subordinates are often the victims of passive smoking.
I request authorities concerned to look into this serious issue and take necessary action to ensure that the health of the non-smokers is protected in all workplaces.
The statutory warning on the cigarette packet says “Smoking kills”. Cigarette smokers, who puff on without concern for others nearby, are like killers actually. They are slowly killing themselves and others also. Why  no action is taken against these “killers”? They must be sentenced for this potentially dangerous act. We should wake up to this danger and do something.

A hapless victim of smoking bosses, (Name and address supplied)

The legacy of Abdul  Kalam

Dear Sir,

India paid tribute to the late APJ Abdul Kalam on his 84th birth anniversary which fell on October 15. Born in a Muslim fishermen community,  Abdul Kalam rose to become India’s president. He died on July 27.
Abdul Kalam had made valuable contributions to the country’s space-missile technology with his dedicated work as a scientist.
His birth anniversary was celebrated as Youth Renaissance Day in Tamil Nadu, his home state.
Kalam was elected as the 11th president of India in 2002 with the active support of the then ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Premier A B Vajpayee.
A recipient of several prestigious awards, including  “Bharat Ratna”, India’s highest civilian honour, Kalam was widely  referred to as the “People’s President” during his term. He left behind a legacy and an example for all Indians to emulate.

Dr Abdul Ruff, abdulruff@gmail.com

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