Improve indoor air quality

The heated debate about the smog covering China over the past few weeks is an important one to be having. However, I find it bewildering that so many people who are complaining about the air outside and demanding change from the government seem to have little concern for the air they are breathing indoors. A huge number of Chinese people smoke, and even those who do not are constantly inhaling the secondhand smoke of their family members at home, colleagues at work, and perfect strangers in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other public spaces.

What is the point of clean air outside when you cannot breathe clean air anywhere else? Even after the supposed "smoking ban" in Shanghai restaurants, I often find myself complaining to unhelpful servers and restaurant staff about people smoking around me, only to be told that there is nothing they can do. To protect our health and those of our children, we must start with clean air inside and legislation that protects non-smoking adults and children from the ill effects of second hand smoking.

Romina Da Costa, via e-mail\\

Cherish traditional virtues

The other day, when taking the subway in Beijing, I saw several youths take all the seats while three elderly people stood nearby. The youths were either busy playing with their mobile phones or sleeping, pretending not to see the seniors. One of the youths even said: "The elderly deserve to stand if they can only afford to take crowded subways." Where is the traditional Chinese virtue that we should respect our elders? I hope those young people will receive the same harsh treatment when they are old.

Gao Kuli, via e-mail

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(China Daily 02/18/2013 page9)