A 52-year-old Singaporean woman kept a record of how many times her neighbour smoked a cigarette every day after she couldn’t bear the secondhand smoke. In just two weeks, she recorded more than 150 times, with an average of 12 times a day!
According to Shin Min Daily News, the woman surnamed Chong lives on the 9th floor of her HDB flat at Bukit Panjang Ring Road. For 20 years, she has been suffering from secondhand smoke coming from her neighbour’s unit below.
When they finally decided to move out, Chong thought she could finally breathe fresh air again, only to find out that her new neighbours were even heavier smokers.
She said that in May, a young couple and their child moved in. Previously with her former neighbours, the smoke would only enter the kitchen, but now, she said she could smell the smoke in her room and even in the toilet almost every hour.
150 times in two weeks
Chong then decided to take note of each time her neighbours smoked.
Since 17 June, Chong filled up four pages of records, which is estimated to hold more than 150 entries. She noted that her neighbours would smoke about 12 times a day, peaking at 16 times a day.
Chong shared that it wasn’t easy for her to go to the toilet as she had to wait for the smoke to disperse.
“I can close the window, but I am afraid of the heat, so I have to open it now and then,” she said.
Chong then tried to take matters into her own hands and decided to confront her neighbours about it. However, they said that there was nothing wrong with smoking at home and told her to file a complaint to the authorities instead.
She added that another neighbour, who lives on the same floor as her, said that she found many cigarette butts in the hallway, some of which were discarded on their air conditioning tank.
Lost 4kg to 5kg in two months
Chong said the smoke has even taken a toll on her health and on her family members as well.
Within two months, she lost four to five kilograms since her new neighbours moved in.
Her brother and 75-year-old mother, who live with her, often fall sick from the secondhand smoke, experiencing symptoms like sore throat and stuffy nose.
She added that because of the health problems the secondhand smoke had caused, her Covid-19 vaccination has to be postponed until she recovers from her sore throat and other symptoms. However, she said that it was not easy to recover as secondhand smoke is always there.
Meanwhile, in response to Shin Min News Daily’s enquiries, the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council said it would work with various units, including the National Environmental Agency (NEA), HDB, grassroots organisations, as well as residents to improve the cleanliness of the estate.
“We appeal to residents to avoid smoking near windows or on balconies to promote a good relationship with neighbours. With the cooperation of residents, we can maintain a clean and favourable living environment for all.”
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