"If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer's always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place." ~ NYT bestselling author, Nora Roberts

Do not be disheartened by recent events in Parliament over MP Louis Ng's Adjournment Motion. There are still avenues worth pursuing, besides what I had mentioned earlier and yesterday.

It could be troublesome, but you have to give the grassroots informal process, mediation (CMC) and Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) a shot. Please do not wait till you see a lump on your chest X-ray or suffer a heart attack.

I have personally tried CMC (see earlier update) and thankfully, my problem is now resolved. If you don't do anything, your situation will remain the same. Do not take "no" for an answer, and continue to press for change. It is unacceptable that construction noise limits and penalties are being reviewed because people are working and studying from home but NOT deadly secondhand smoke from neighbours?!

Law Minister Mr Shanmugam said in an earlier Parliamentary written reply, "Where the CDRT judge, on hearing the parties, decides to make a Court Order, this order can entail the payment of damages, require a party to do or refrain from doing something (for example, take measures to prevent cigarette smoke from drifting into neighbouring units), or apologise. If a party breaches the Court Order, the other party can apply for a Special Direction to ensure compliance. A refusal to comply with a Special Direction may lead to, among other measures an Exclusion Order – this requires the non-compliant party to move out of his home."

Advancing the smoke-free cause is neither smooth nor easy. For every 1 of my forum letters that got published, I probably have 2 or 3 others trashed by the editors. But I persevered, despite being a lone crusader. However, editors cannot keep publishing letters on the same topic by the same writer. More must come forward and voice your concerns.

It might interest you to know that many of my letters were written while I was based overseas. I have been fighting for improvements even when not physically in Singapore. See earlier update on what drives me.

So, won’t you please join me in this worthwhile cause? We must be advocates for our own health, which should not be harmed by others’ indulgent habit.

PS. For those who leave comments under my updates, I do not receive email notifications (option not available) when people comment, so please excuse my late replies. Similarly, please check back on the respective update where you had commented in case you don’t get notified after I’ve replied. Thank you.