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Ban on smoking

in public

transport urged

RAWALPINDI: Smoking in public transport is going on unchecked and the passengers have been left at the mercy of smokers who often make it hard for them to breathe.

Smoking in air-conditioned coaches and buses playing on long routes multiplies the miseries of the non-smokers who think that they are being punished for not adopting this habit.

A ban was imposed on smoking at public places and all kinds of public transport about two years ago with a fine of the Rs 200 for the violators.

But neither the smokers took it seriously nor the government took any steps for its implementation.

"In a 13-seater so-called air-conditioned luxury coach if three to four passengers start enjoying smoking you may better guess what would be the condition of their colleagues," said Ummad-un-Nasar who came here from Faisalabad by a coach while talking to APP at the Committee Chowk Bus Stand.

"They (smokers) do not even care for children and ladies," he said, adding, "I do not know why the authorities do not take any action against them."

Kashan Hamid, who belongs to Lahore, said, drivers first light their cigarettes followed by other smokers.

"If you ask the driver to stop smoking he would simply ignore you or rudely reply in the negative," he said.

The journey in fact became a nightmare and one felt helpless, he added.

"The warning about smoking should be printed on the tickets and violators must be asked to discontinue the journey," a passenger said.

"We appeal to the Chief Executive to issue directives for the strict compliance of the ban on smoking in public transport and save us from its hazards," said some passengers at Marir Chowk.ÑAPP