As victims of secondhand smoke, we can no longer support the People’s Action Party (PAP) after years of frustration and inaction regarding the residential secondhand smoke issue. Despite repeated pleas and mounting evidence of the harm caused by secondhand smoke, the government has failed to implement effective policies to protect non-smokers in their own homes.
Lack of Action Since the 2020 Election
While the government has made progress in addressing noise pollution, it has remained largely indifferent to the dangers of secondhand smoke in residential areas. Over the years, the PAP has imposed stricter smoking bans in public spaces, inadvertently pushing more smokers to smoke at home. This policy has done more harm than good, as it has significantly increased secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure for non-smokers, particularly those with chain-smoking neighbors. Instead of ensuring that homes remain safe havens, this approach has transformed them into “sick homes,” where residents suffer from continuous exposure to harmful toxins.
Repeated Appeals Ignored by Key Policymakers
Despite Member of Parliament Louis Ng’s persistent efforts to raise this issue in parliamentary debates, the government has shown no political will to enact meaningful change. Key figures, including the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Health, National Development, Sustainability and Environment, and Law, have remained unresponsive to public concerns. Even when it was highlighted in Parliament that secondhand smoke contributes to at least one death per day, their silence and lack of urgency were deeply disappointing.
The responses from the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) over the years have further demonstrated a lack of sincerity in tackling the problem. Rather than acknowledging the severity of secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure, the ministry continues to downplay its consequences and dismiss viable solutions.
Underestimating the Harm of Smoking at Home
MSE has failed to recognize the full spectrum of problems associated with smoking at home. Beyond health risks, it contributes to:
- Fire hazards due to careless disposal of cigarette butts, as tragically demonstrated by the Bedok fire on May 13, 2022, which claimed four lives..
- High-rise littering creates additional safety and hygiene concerns.
- Indoor air quality deterioration exacerbates respiratory illnesses, heart diseases, and sleep disruption problems.
- Ventilation and humidity issues lead to discomfort and increased exposure to toxic air.
- Persistent odors from smoking create a smelly environment that can make residents sick, cause anxiety, and exacerbate mental health issues due to the lingering and recurring nature of the smell.
While noise pollution at home is acknowledged as a disturbance, the irreversible harm caused by secondhand and thirdhand smoke is far more serious that warrants immediate attention and action.
Empty Promises of an Inclusive Government
The government often claims to listen to its people and ensures no one is left behind. However, victims of secondhand smoke remain an ignored and neglected group. The least the government can do is introduce policies to penalize anti-social smokers who deliberately harass neighbors through excessive smoking.
Currently, the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) lacks clear guidelines on handling persistent indoor smoking complaints. Judges may suggest that smokers close their windows, but enforcement remains impossible. Victims are left with no choice but to repeatedly return to court when smokers violate orders, resulting in wasted time, money, and energy. Ultimately, all we seek is clean, unpolluted air and peace within our homes, rather than conflicts with smoking neighbors that lead to further disputes.
Bureaucratic Inefficiency and Lack of Accountability
Beyond the policymakers’ inaction, there is a concerning level of inefficiency within the relevant government agencies. Complaints from secondhand smoke victims are often forwarded to the same individuals who provide repetitive, templated responses rather than real solutions. Bureaucratic red tape prevents the issue from reaching decision-makers who can effect meaningful change. Moreover, officials show little openness to fresh ideas, allowing the problem to persist for decades without resolution.
History has shown that the government only acts after a crisis occurs. For example, MRT breakdowns were ignored until a major train collision forced a leadership overhaul, leading to tangible improvements. Must we wait for a severe health crisis or casualty before the government takes secondhand smoke seriously?
Misplaced Budget Priorities
One thing that puzzles us is how the government can allocate a $10 million grant to assist coffee shop owners in cleaning their toilets, yet cannot dedicate funds to:
- Providing mandatory smoking cessation programs to help chain smokers quit.
- Offering legal support and financial aid to victims of secondhand smoke dealing with health complications and medical costs.
These initiatives would yield far greater benefits for public health and overall well-being than subsidizing businesses that already generate significant revenue.
Superficial Election Promises vs. Fundamental Needs
During this pre-election period, the government has been distributing CDC vouchers and financial aid to ease the rising cost of living and has promised improvements to the estate infrastructure. However, none of these measures address the fundamental issue: if residents cannot breathe clean air in their own homes, will they even care about other aids or improvements?
Clean air is a basic human right—not a luxury. Before focusing on secondary concerns, the government must prioritize indoor air quality and take firm action against those who pollute shared airspaces. If the PAP ensures a safe and healthy home environment, we would have no reason to withdraw our support.
But until that happens, we cannot, in good conscience, vote for a party that continues to disregard our health and well-being.
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