For a healthier world

I, together with some family members, recently enjoyed all the beautiful cultural and historic sites in Amman, by the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, and the Jordanian hospitality.

We went to a charming villa in the old city where we learned how to prepare and cook Arabic food. It was fresh, delicious and a real hands-on learning experience. We were given the recipes to try on our own.

During our stay we met many friendly people, but most of them were smoking, particularly men.

I will be 80 this month, and have studied this problem for years, since my dad died from the effects of smoking at 73.

Two of my brothers died in their sixties from smoking-related causes. 

And it is not only people who smoke that can get sick; passive smokers often do as well.

I think the best way to approach this problem is to educate children from a young age.

Smoking was more of a problem in the US until states and municipalities enacted laws forbidding smoking in restaurants, hospitals, stores, etc. California was the first to enact a statewide smoking ban in 1995.

Let us all work together to make it a more beautiful, safe and healthy world by banning smoking, at least in public spaces.

Dottie Lewis McDaniel,
US