No Smoking, Please

The other day I attended a meeting with a senior government official. The presence of visible “No Smoking” signs and the fact that the law bans smoking in public premises did not discourage the top honcho. He pulled out an ashtray, a pack of cigarettes, lit one and puffed away with gusto. Many in the room followed suit.

No one bothered to ask, or indeed noticed, that the few non-smokers present at the meeting almost choked after two hours spent in a smoke-filled office.

This was no unique incident, either. Against all legal regulations, TV cameras frequently show government sessions, held on the various different levels that we have in Bosnia and Herzegovina, taking place in smoke-filled rooms.

As a former smoker, I am still quite sensitive to this issue as well as to the smoke itself.

On a good day I used to burn up to three packs a day. I took moves to curb smoking in public places as an attack on my personal rights.

Yet at that time there still seemed to be some thoughtfulness and respect for others. That required smokers to ask others for permission and even put their cigarettes away when in the presence of those irritated by smoke.

This was not because of legislation; it was simple human politeness.

That politeness and care for others seems to have been lost – replaced by laws and bylaws that people start violating the moment they are adopted.

It has been years since I quit smoking and got used to a new world in which food tasted better, fragrances smelled better, while my lungs no longer collapsed when half-way up the stairs.

I have changed my habits, though I accept other peoples’ different choices - even if these include a slow suicide by nicotine.

I have witnessed similar attitudes in many other places I have visited worldwide. There, smokers respect non-smokers and it really does not matter whether this is a matter of courtesy or respect for the law.

But the situation is different in the Balkans. Here, government officials – having long forgotten they are public servants – spitefully maintain their old habits.

They not only show no respect for my own personal choice. By ignoring the very legislation they are hired to uphold, they disrespect themselves, their office and their country.

This disrespect is reflected in their children who quickly pick up the same attitudes from their parents. After all, humans tend to learn by doing and not by being told to do so.

And so, if you are one of those who think their child, nephew or niece is disrespectful, think twice about your own habits and attitudes. And please - for your, their and my sake, don’t smoke in public places.