Faisal Qureshi

Life Statement

"What man is a man that doesn't change for the better the world he lives in?"

Smoking in public

I can not understand why people come to decent restaurants and smoke. It is really quite pathetic. I wish Pakistani restaurants, at least, get the sense to go smoke-free.

I must commend Avari Towers in Karachi to make all public areas smoke free. Just for this I think I will make it my regular hang-out. Kudos to the new general manager Gordon James, from Scotland, to take the step. Funny how we learn all the filth from the failures of industrialized nations but make no effort to learn from their successes and achievements.

Three cheers for Avari Hotels, Karachi.

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July 12, 2008 at 08:07:06 pm | In From the road, Loose Ends |

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If I had the power, i would impose 200% Octroi, 150% Sales Tax, 170% Duty and a 500% VAT on cigarettes and related commodities. Yes I know people would still not stop smoking.

Comment by Novo — July 14, 2008 #
As much as I (as a smoker - yes, I’ve become one) do enjoy the smoke after the meal, I much more enjoy a nice dinner in a smoke-free environment…

Most parts of Malaysia, incidentally, aren’t any better…

Comment by walski69 — July 15, 2008 #
Was this a paid-for-blogging for Avari?

Comment by Faisal Khan — July 25, 2008 #
Nope. I’m actually sick of smoking in public places. Avari has made the effort, and that’s the only place I go to now. I want to choke all businesses who don’t follow basic decency.

Comment by Faisal Qureshi — July 25, 2008 #
Please don’t take it the wrong way, BUT, as long as Philip Morris Inc. is reaping yet more profits amidst all taxes simply because they raised their profit margins due to merely 5% decrease in sales (yes ! even all those taxes couldn’t hurt them that much) AND that in “developed” countries they practically *fund* the research on tobacco (yes it’s true - refer to http://writedit.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/uc-regents-policy-on-tobacco-funding/ - the latest I’ve got white papers from Berkley confirming there has been no change in the policy since) I BEG TO DIFFER
I think making 2 separate sections, a smoking and a non-smoking section should suffice as far as restaurants are concerned. If you want to STOP someone from Smoking, the best thing is to apply social / peer pressure. The more you push them the more they’ll get creative to get right back at ya. The debate has always been fruitless amongst smokers and non-smokers. The tenacious nature of both sides always turns it into a war rather than a debate. Heck! I can go ahead and speak from any side and provide a rationale. The bottom line is, you think that restaurants should go ahead and ban smoking altogether, my questions is why? They won’t risk losing their sales. If larger and or powerful part of the community coming to Avari hotels are smokers then I’m afraid this smoking ban would be short lived. Or at least they are bound to make a smoking section.
The bottom line is, you don’t smoke, the other guy does. You both are in a public place. If the other guy smokes, he is stepping on your nose. So ethically and by law he shouldn’t smoke. BUT if you don’t provide him a place to smoke, then it will be YOU stepping on HIS nose. He has the right to smoke just as much as you have the right to be in smoke free environment. You have to provide for both. Failing to do so will inflect disrespect, then it becomes an ego problem and we all know that there’s no solution to that. Majorities win, but minorities get creative. And you’ll find yourself hung between the debate long enough.

Comment by SayB — July 25, 2008 #

Smoking in public

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