I don't know. I've never looked.
Well, today Jakarta is set to become a butt-free urban utopia so, presumably, there'll be no more smoking before sex either.
But(t), hey, this is no joking matter.
Even a portable ashtray will not help if a smoker lights up while walking down Jl. Sudirman or Jl. Thamrin and a public order officer or non-governmental organization activist spies the offender.
As the smoking restriction takes effect this weekend, some 1,000 officers from a city task force will be on the streets checking for smokers and issuing stern warnings.
In addition to all city administration offices, main thoroughfares and the buildings along them will be the first places in the "Big Smoke" to be declared smoke - and butt - free.
This has come about because City Hall seems, at last, to be concerned about the health of its citizens. Bylaw No. 2/2005 on air pollution comes into force today.
- Smoking is banned in public spaces, health facilities, offices and education facilities, as well as children's activity areas, religious areas and aboard public transportation. The management of such places must provide a special area for smokers equipped with exhaust fans.
I believe this is great news. After all, we smokers with exhaust fans are the major contributors to air pollution in Indonesia. And giving up isn't that difficult, is it? I do it every day, at bedtime.
That there are other regulations being enacted today is also to be applauded, if only to ensure that we consumers of the most addictive drug known, albeit legal, don't feel isolated.
- It is illegal to burn trash in the open.
- Motor vehicles must have their emission and noise levels checked by an authorized workshop at least every six months, and this testing is part of the requirement for car ownership registration.
- Public transportation and City Administration vehicles must all use gasoline, as opposed to diesel fuel (to be regulated in a gubernatorial decree)
- Every person or company must contribute to the development of green open spaces (to be further regulated in a gubernatorial decree)
- To improve the air quality, a motor vehicle-free day will be established in certain areas of the city at least once a month. (to be regulated in a gubernatorial decree)
All great stuff, although it's a pity that Governor Sooty doesn't have the necessary powers to legislate against forest clearances, as pictured by Indcoup yesterday, which produce haze covering neighbouring countries, a long unresolved problem.
Anyway, Jakartass is prepared to do his bit, but(t) not just yet. I need help because it won't be easy. For a while, apparently, I'll be a craving maniac. I'll need a support network such as Nicotine Anonymous or a course of aversion therapy such as acupuncture.
In an emergency, I suppose I could try nicotine free cigarettes. They should be okay if I don't exhale.
