Smokers unfazed by dangers of habit
Friday, October 08, 2010
Most cigarette packs have bold warnings written on them such as: "DANGER: SMOKING CAUSES LUNG DISEASE" or "SMOKING IS A HEALTH HAZARD". Some warnings even go into detail, revealing that tobacco smoke contains many harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide, cyanide, nicotine and tar, which can cause diseases and deaths, and that non-smokers and ex-smokers on average, live longer and healthier than smokers.
In spite of all these, people continue to puff away at cigarettes. In fact, it has been revealed that the number of cigarette smokers all over the world has not dropped considerably in recent years.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...