We did not choose this lifestyle, yet the majority suffer in silence, and that for years and even decades.

Based on the data taken from CDC, Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer.

Secondhand smoke can cause numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Some of the health conditions caused by secondhand smoke in adults include coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer

There is no law or any form of enforcement to protect the sufferers of second-hand smoke at this moment and numerous complaints were just brushed aside as domestic “problems”. Why is it that there is a law against noise pollution after 10.30pm but yet there is nothing enforced to deter inconsiderate smokers from sharing such potentially life-threatening fumes inhaled by those who have chosen a non-smoker lifestyle? Imagine children in their growing years having to breathe such potent air just because they were unfortunate to have inconsiderate neighbours. Imagine other vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and the elderly having to suffer in silence all the time. It is time something MUST be done about this.

Following the ban, I would like to suggest more smoke rooms being built in every neighborhood. This would help to curb secondhand smoke in residential areas as well encourage smokers to take a walk down to their nearest smoke rooms where they can still smoke to their hearts content.

Here are some excerpts from WHO guidelines on protection from exposure to tobacco smoke:

".... The duty to protect individuals from tobacco smoke corresponds to an obligation by governments to enact legislation to protect individuals against threats to their fundamental rights and freedoms. This obligation extends to all persons, and not merely to certain populations."

"....Raising awareness among the public and opinion leaders about the risks of second-hand tobacco smoke exposure through ongoing information campaigns is an important role for government agencies, in partnership with civil society, to ensure that the public understands and supports legislative action...."

"Key messages should focus on the harm caused by second-hand tobacco smoke exposure, .... the right of all workers to be equally protected by law and the fact that there is no trade-off between health and economics, because experience in an increasing number of jurisdictions shows that smoke free environments benefit both...."