The Editor, Sir:

On the issue of banning the popular dance craze the 'Dutty Wine', I am totally against doing so. I would like to send condolences to the family members of Tanisha Henry who died allegedly because of doing the Dutty Wine. I want to make it clear that the cause her death is yet to be ascertained as an autopsy has been inconclusive.

Persons who do this dance do so by choice and at their own risk, as a result I do not agree with all the arguments that it should be banned. If they are going to ban this dance then I am of the opinion that the sale of cigarettes should follow suit. The warnings against smoking are as clear as they come, upon purchasing the various cigarettes for sale the warnings state that it is hazardous to one's health and it can cause cancer if used on a continuous basis. But many individuals still choose to smoke knowing of the consequences and I hardly hear persons calling for this to be banned.

If individuals can smoke at their own risk, then they should also be able to Dutty Wine at their own risk as well. It all comes down to everyone having free will and they have the choice to do whatever they please.

There are too many issues that we as Jamaicans have to deal with for us to be wasting time on trivial things such as to ban Dutty Wine or not.

I am, etc.,

TEKEL INGRAM

mr_debonaire@hotmail.com

Portmore, St. Catherine