Wrong Civic Message

Doing right does not neccessary mean right message has been sent out. Sometime for own convenience, we tend to do good for our own sake without thinking of the message behind our decision. At time, we do thing merely for the sake of fufilling the requirement. I found an interesting happening of required to do so, and for the sake of doing so without thinking about the consequences.

Nowasday, smoking in the open and public area is banned. Smokers are only allowed to smoke in the designated area. For example, an enclosed space is normally reserved in the airport compound for smokers. While it is for the health of non-smokers and protecting them from haphazard, it is in a way also discouraging the smokers by way of disconvenience them. Sometime, smokers might not want to smoke because of difficulty in locating the desingated area.

However, I found opposite arrangement in a cafe recently. The two-floor Cafe has designated the ground floor as smoking area and the first floor as non-smoking area. It means if you are not smoking, please make your way up stair, without the lift. To me, it is a way of telling people please bear with the smoke if you choose not to climb up the staircase. I was told as first floor is enclosed air-con area, it is better of designated it as non-smoking area. This is a case of conveniency to the management. I am of the opinion that although it is for pragmatic reason and for the sake of good management, the practice has, however sent out wrong message to the public. It is a message indirectly encouraging smokers to patronise the place and stay put with ease. Should we encourage this kind of practice? I personally think, we should not.