Toughen laws to reduce exposure to second-hand, third-hand smoke

The writer of the letter “Ban smoking at public parks, hawker centres” (Dec 15) seems merely worried about smoking being allowed in parks and hawker centres.

What about near shopping centres and MRT stations, though, such as the short passage from Boon Lay MRT Station to Jurong Point, where many smokers, day and night, smoke and throw the cigarette ends on the ground?

This exposes non-smokers and children to both second-hand and third-hand smoke.

Many people are aware that second-hand smoke is classified as a known human carcinogen, linked not only to heart disease and lung cancer, but also to tumours and other cancers.

Third-hand smoke is the residual nicotine and other chemicals that build up on surfaces and resist normal cleaning, even long after the smoking has stopped. It is a newer concept, but recent studies have shown that it could be more hazardous.

I feel that one of the smoking prohibition rules — no smoking within 5m of any entrance, exit, window or ventilation intake of a building — needs tightening. The authorities should impose stricter regulations and ban smoking in more places.

We would have a cleaner country as well as reduce our residents’ exposure to toxic second-hand and third-hand smoke.