In your editorial “Respecting rules”, (TMID, 21 June), you shower praise on the authorities because nearly 3,000 people have been charged with breaking the smoking ban imposed in October 2004.

While I commend the police for their sterling work, I must however point out that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

The police cannot be everywhere, and therefore there are still many places where the smoking ban regulations are being abused.

People still smoke in offices when they are not supposed to, sometimes without the consent of their colleagues who are however too afraid to speak up to the management.

In some bars, people still smoke inside much to the detriment of the other patrons.

In restaurants, this malpractice is much less evident because restaurant owners are less inclined to allow it.

It is not a matter of policing. It is a matter of respecting others. Smokers should refrain from smoking in public places not because it is illegal to do so, but because it is an inconvenience and a health hazard to others.

Maria Mifsud

Mosta