Stop import of cigarettes, ban smoking completely, if possible
In the commentary, “Singapore should aim to be smoke-free, not just smoke-lite” (Oct 5), Dr Chia Kee Seng, professor and dean of Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at National University of Singapore, suggested that more needs to be done to stop people, especially the young, from picking up smoking. He pointed out that tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn cigarettes, though popular in other countries, are no less harmful than cigarettes, and it is right that there is an expected move here to ban people from buying, using and possessing these products. Facebook users weigh in on his points, and whether a complete ban on tobacco products could be the answer to help smokers quit.
TODAY readers and Facebook users weigh in on whether a complete ban on tobacco products could be the answer to help smokers quit. TODAY file photo
In the commentary, “Singapore should aim to be smoke-free, not just smoke-lite” (Oct 5), Dr Chia Kee Seng, professor and dean of Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at National University of Singapore, suggested that more needs to be done to stop people, especially the young, from picking up smoking. He pointed out that tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn cigarettes, though popular in other countries, are no less harmful than cigarettes, and it is right that there is an expected move here to ban people from buying, using and possessing these products. Facebook users weigh in on his points, and whether a complete ban on tobacco products could be the answer to help smokers quit.
The day we have the guts to cut off cigarettes manufacturers, is the day the world will be smoke-free... Just like candies and soda are bad for health, so why are we still selling them? LISALIM FOXX
Just ban smoking, lah! I’m a smoker. You want me to stop, just ban it. Most of my smoker friends agree as well. But alas, our tax dollars are still wanted. RYAN SEET
The author, unfortunately, does not go deeper into the efficacy of the alternative nicotine products which have proven effective in other countries in helping smokers quit tobacco smoking. Millions have switched to these alternative products and have saved their lives. To simply dismiss them is to be quite selective. Even the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) has encouraged the use of alternative nicotine products, and so have the health authorities in the United Kingdom. ANDREW LOH
I have noticed that many national servicemen, uniform personnel and government servants are smokers. Maybe the Government can enforce more stringent controls to help these individuals fight (the habit). Sending them for compulsory counselling or talks related to the negative aspects of smoking might be helpful. JACQUELINE SEE
*Comments were first posted on TODAY’s Facebook page and are edited for language and clarity.
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