2011年12月18日星期日

Shift in non-smoking strategy needed

I applaud the National Environment Agency's initiative to collect public feedback on the smoking ban. Extending the ban, though, may exacerbate the problem for non-smokers.

As it is already difficult to enforce the current ban, an extension alone would overload environment officers, resulting in little or even negative impact on the ground.

Reducing the number of places to smoke would lead to a concentration of smokers and second-hand smoke in those places. And despite past extensions of the ban, it has become more difficult to avoid second-hand smoke.

A new approach, to provide alternatives for smokers, is needed. Most smokers will not readily give up the habit, and we need to recognise that smoking is an addiction, not a lifestyle choice.

If we want to protect citizens, I propose there should be smoking rooms in all buildings (like those in Changi Airport). Non-smokers are freed from the health risks of second-hand smoke while the policy debates continue.

There should be mandatory air purifiers in public flats and private apartments whose residents are smokers (verified against insurance declarations), to protect children and neighbours.

Wantonly discarded cigarette butts in non-smoking areas should be tested for DNA/fingerprints, to ease the load on enforcement officers trying to capture culprits in the act.

Errant smokers would then receive a fine via mail for breaching non-smoking and/or littering laws. We may even see cleaner streets.

For now, the key is to help instil more responsibility among existing smokers. People have the right to smoke only if it does not affect others. And we should continue to educate and help those ready to quit. The most important proposal I have come across was that to deny access to tobacco to those born since 2000. This would plug the leaking boat and make the smoking problem more manageable.

While the long-term objective of achieving a smoke-free Singapore is clear, the imperative now is to protect non-smokers. Then fight to extend the ban.

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