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Cady's Grill, a popular restaurant in Ypsilanti's Depot Town, went smoke-free less than a month ago. "It first started when I would be seating a table on a busy night and they would say they wanted to be as far away from the smoking section as possible,'' Rob Troyer, general manager for Cady's, told The News.

But the culture of smoking - imbued with an aura of independence, rebellion and sensuality - has deep roots in our country. For many, smoking is sheer pleasure, and worth whatever health risks come with it. Smokers are passionate about their rights, and increasingly face off with nonsmokers who demand, with equal passion, the right to a smoke-free environment. Businesses, especially restaurants and bars, are often caught in the middle.

Vietnamese and Cambodian police should open liaison offices in border provinces, establish hotlines, and organize more meetings on the issue. They should receive further foreign language training to fight against cross-border drug trafficking more effectively, he said.