Some neighbours are so “neighbourly” to the point where they think their neighbours would love to breathe in their second-hand smoke…
…much to the chagrin of their neighbour, 52-year-old Mdm Chung (钟女士), who lived on the 9th floor of Block 241 on Bukit Panjang Ring Road for 20 years now.
Smoked More Than 150 Times within Just Two Weeks
Mdm Chung previous neighbours were smokers too and when they moved out, she breathed a sigh of relief and take a deep breath of the now-fresh air…
…only to cough uncontrollably because of the second-hand smoke coming from her new neighbours’ unit irritating her nasal canals.
Worse part is, the young “smoker” couple who moved in downstairs have children with them.
Poor children!
According to Mdm Chung, “In the past, only the kitchen smelled of smoke, but now the windows and even the toilets are filled with second-hand smoke.”
“You can smell the smoke, almost every hour,” she added.
“As soon as they smoked, I made a record. From 17 June to the present, I have filled 4 sheets of paper. That’s approximately more than 150 times.”
Based on her records, she pointed out that her neighbours smoked an average of about 12 times a day.
On peak days, it can reach 16 times a day.
Mdm Chung complained that going to the loo is a chore for her as she has to wait until the smoke clears out.
“I can close the window but it can end up really humid and hot in there, so I have keep opening and closing the windows.”
Mdm Chung continued, “I reached out to the couple downstairs but they said that smoking at home was okay and that if she’s not happy with it, she can complain to the authorities.”
Another neighbour who lived on the same floor, 57-year-old Ms Hu, said that there were cigarette butts scattered all along the corridor.
Discarded cigarette butts were also found around the condenser units of air cons.
Losing 4 to 5 Kg in Two Months
The woman also lost 4 to 5 kg in two months.
Ms Chung’s 75-year-old mother and her often suffer from sore throat and stuffy nose due to the irritants from the second-hand smoke.
These conditions caused her to have to postpone getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
“After being checked by a doctor, I have to wait for the sore throat and other illnesses to get better before getting the vaccine. However, as long as I’m still constantly exposed to second-hand smoke, I will suffer from the same problems again.”
Be a Good Neighbour; Don’t Smoke Near Windows
Responding to an email inquiry by a reporter from Shin Min Daily (新明日报), the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council said, “We call on residents to avoid smoking near windows or on balconies to foster good, neighbourly relationship.”
“With the cooperation of residents, we can maintain a clean and conducive living environment for everyone.”
They will also cooperate with various governmental agencies as well as grassroots organizations to provide advice to the residents.
Routine cleaning will also be ramped up in the public areas.
Featured Image: Nopphon_1987/ shutterstock.com ; Google Maps