I applaud Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa for his efforts to ban smoking in public places in the prefecture ("Kanagawa eyes wide-reaching smoking ban," April 16). This is a necessary measure that the central government should have put in place a long time ago. I hope that other governors will follow Matsuzawa's lead.
I used to smoke so I do appreciate that, for many people, smoking is a way to relax and I do believe that they should be able to enjoy this little pleasure, however hazardous to their own health this might be. But I am also of the opinion that non-smokers should never have to endure those who smoke, or have their health endangered by secondhand smoking. I think that it is only fair that smoking in public, and even in the workplace, should be regulated. In the beginning, smokers will have a hard time adjusting, but in time they will understand that the intent of the measure is really to protect those who don't smoke rather than taking away the rights of those who do.
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