The Editor, Sir:

"Smoking should be banned from public spaces, from restaurants and bars," Dr. Elliott, a member of the International Amateur Athletics Federation Medical and Anti-Doping Commission, told reporters.

This I take a step further. smoking vehicles should be banned from our public thoroughfares, paying particular attention to diesel-powered vehicles and some gasolene-powered vehicles which have become a public health menace. Diesel fuels have been promoted and encouraged as the most efficient, cost-effective and, some say, environmentally friendly fuel, but if one travels up places like Red Hills or Mount Rosser, one will invariably have the displeasure of inhaling some of the most environmentally toxic and stifling fumes emitted from, mainly, diesel-fuelled vehicles.

Measures

I have no problem with the State and other agencies promoting the use of such fuel, but the people must be told the truth, and measures put in place to access the latest technology to reduce extremely dangerous emissions. The following measures must be taken immediately:

Petrojam to put in place technology to remove sulphur and other dangerous particulates from diesel fuel supplied to the market.

Transport/health and environmental policies should include the importation of cleaner burning diesel engines that reduce the emissions into the atmosphere.

The police and/or the relevant agencies should rigorously enforce the no-smoking vehicle law.

All government departments with vehicles, including buses in the public transport system, the police and vehicles of well-known persons and companies should be among the first to clean up their acts without coercion backed up by an intensive clean air campaign to help 'Spruce up Jamaica'.

The fitness tests at our examination depots must include rigorous emission standards and the relevant equipment provided by the Government to do the job effectively.

Banning smoking vehicles immediately from our public thoroughfares could save the health sector and the taxpayers billions of dollars, save lives, minds and pave the way for a healthier society.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL SPENCE

Micspen2@hotmail.com

P.O. Box 630

Liguanea, Kingston 6