Imams Decry Smoking
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - An increasing number of areas are now prohibited for smokers.

This would emphasise the dangers of puffing especially to passive smokers, religious leaders revealed in their Friday sermon yesterday.

Imams said that the nation has widened areas prohibited for smoking.

In the olden days, the prohibited areas only covered several places but it has now been extended to institutions, government buildings, hospitals, mosques, medical clinics, cineplexes, warehouses, entertainment parks, shopping complexes, restaurants and so on.

Even elevators, staircases, washrooms, lobbies and other public places (where two or more people gather), bus stations, school buses and taxi stands are also banned for smokers). Hence there is no excuse.

The mosque is also one government building where smoking is prohibited.

Moreover a building such as a shrine being a pure place that glorifies Islam will not tolerate smokers. Public cooperation is highly appreciated in jointly keeping the mosque away from such pollution.

"We must obey the constructive advice that calls us to refrain from smoking. It's better to be safe than sorry. We should be able to think and differentiate the good from the bad. We should respect others who use the same facility and should not think selfishly only about one's wishes."

Imams added, "There are many matters that can threaten one's life, one of which is cigarette smoking. The health experts too have supported this theory through research.

"Efforts to awaken the public on its dangers have been repeatedly highlighted in the media and Friday sermons, but have sadly fallen on deaf ears," they said.

Cigarette smoking can still be seen everywhere, be it at prohibited places which can also endanger the lives of people around us, though they are aware that such attitude put people's life around them at risk.

Ummah should be grateful for such well being and must not be destroyed. Cigarette smoking may not kill one instantly, but the poison could risk one's life. Hence, cigarette smoking resembles a suicide attempt," the religious leaders said.

Based on health research, smoking threatens one's health as it is a leading cause of heart attacks, asthma, cancer, stroke and death.

It must be noted that the dangers of smoking will not only threaten the smoker's life but also that of those around them who inhale the smoke.

That's the risk that wives and children around them have to encounter if their husbands or fathers are smokers. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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