Schools must be stricter on smoking

I refer to the letter, “Govt’s long-term goal is to prohibit smoking in all public areas” (Jan 5). Our approach to becoming a smoke-free country should be to discourage the habit of smoking from a young age.

It seems, though, as if some schools are not enforcing this strictly, as students can be seen smoking in public.

For instance, I see students in uniform smoking on the way from Simei MRT Station to the Institute of Technical Education College East. They would also linger outside the campus for a quick puff, before and after school.

The best way to stop the smoking habit is to not start on it at all. Schools should be more proactive and stricter with their students, even outside school compounds.