Tobacco.org

Why are smokers in no-smoking zone? 

On many occasions, Mr Hoi, 25, a non-smoker, has been caught in such a situation - in which smokers light up at places where they should not be doing so.

And the technical officer will not hesitate to give these inconsiderate smokers a piece of his mind.

Mr Hoi said: 'I'll go up to them and tell them, 'Please don't smoke here'.'

So far, all the people he had told off had complied with his request. . . .

In 2006, NEA booked 1,450 smokers and managements of premises for violating the smoking ban.

A further 4,379 were booked last year, while another 1,738 have been booked from January to May this year.

Mr Hoi said: 'Those who don't listen may be testing the system because they don't think they will get caught.'

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LETTER: Smokers openly breaking law 

I OFTEN see people smoking in the no-smoking zone in hawker centres, food courts and coffeeshops, and the operators and owners do not take any action.

Where are our law enforcement officers when we need them?

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61-year-old man caught for smuggling tobacco 

SINGAPORE: An arriving passenger with an awkwardly bulging waistline and unnatural gait caught the attention of customs officers at the Singapore Cruise Centre on Wednesday.

A body search conducted on the 61--year--old man uncovered four packets of shag tobacco strapped to his waist.

The loose tobacco, which is used for rolling cigarettes, weighed about 850 grammes.

According to a statement from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the man claimed he had bought the tobacco for personal consumption in Batam while visiting his family there.

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Over 26,000 packets of contraband cigarettes seized, 10 arrested 

Acting on intelligence gathered, enforcement agencies here smashed a syndicate's ploy to smuggle 26,749 packets of duty-unpaid cigarette worth over $243,415.

The duty and GST involved amounted to over $205,350. Ten men (four Singaporeans, three Malaysians and three Bangladesh nationals) were arrested on June 25. Three vehicles were also seized.

At 8.45 pm on the night of the sting, a Malaysian-registered lorry was seen entering a rubbish dump at Marsiling Drive. Several men then appeared on the scene.

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Cigarette smuggling syndicate smashed, 10 men arrested  

IN the second haul of contraband cigarettes in two days, enforcement agencies seized 26,749 packets and smashed a syndicate's attempt to smuggle them on Wednesday.

Ten men - four Singaporeans, three Malaysians and three Bangladeshis - were arrested in the joint operation carried out by the Singapore Customs, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Singapore Police Force.

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Six men nabbed in biggest contraband cigarette bust this year 

Six men including a Malaysian were arrested in the biggest contraband cigarette bust this year, news reports said on Wednesday.

The men, aged between 38 and 52, were nabbed at a warehouse when customs officers discovered a container with 233,500 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth 2.1 million Singapore dollars (1.5 million US dollars), The Straits Times said.

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Warning labels disgusting, but effective 

While lung cancer is the most feared condition here, more Singaporeans feel "extremely fearful" when they look at health warning images on cigarette packs.

Almost 40 per cent here felt that way about graphic labels, much higher than the 26 per cent in Scotland, according to a survey of attitudes and awareness toward smoking in both countries.

In this instance, the images were from Australia, so both sets of respondents, less than a quarter of whom in Singapore were current or ex-smokers, were not familiar with them.

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Survey shows most people unaware smoking can cause blindness 

Most people know that smoking can cause stroke and diseases such as lung and throat cancers, but many are unaware that taking that puff can also cause blindness.

This is according to the first cross--cultural survey between Singapore's Alexandra Hospital and Scotland's Ninewell Hospital, which polled over 200 respondents in the two countries.

While more than eight in ten are aware of the more common diseases afflicting smokers, only about three in ten regard blindness as a smoking--related condition.

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Ex-smokers to drive home quit smoking message 

COLD, sometimes known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a disease which damages the lungs, making it hard to breathe.

Dr Ong Kian Chung, a consultant respiratory doctor and president of the COPD Association, said more than 90 per cent of COLD are caused by smoking. . . .

Singapore's smoking control campaign this year will also target the young as advocates for a smoke-free lifestyle.

This is in line with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) theme of 'Tobacco Free Youth' for World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) which falls on May 31.

To mark the global event, a Youth Against Tobacco workshop will be held here on May 28 and 29. About 30 youth leaders from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia and Singapore are attending.

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• LETTER: NEA check found no smokers 

I REFER to last Monday's letter, ' Smoking ban flouted in public places' by Mr Justin Kan.

National Environment Agency (NEA) officers conduct routine checks of places where smoking is prohibited by law to ensure compliance. During our checks, we also give priority to places where public feedback on violation is often received. NEA continues to take firm enforcement action against any smokers or food-shop operators who violate the law. Since the implementation of the smoking prohibition in coffee shops and hawker centres on July 1, 2006, we have taken enforcement action against more than 3,700 smokers and 400 food-shop operators for infringing the prohibition.

Following the feedback, our officers checked the food shops at Keong Saik Road referred to by Mr Kan. Although we did not find anyone violating the smoking prohibition, the management of the food shops in the vicinity were sternly reminded . . .

-- S. Satish Appoo

Director, Enviromental

Health Department

National Environment Agency

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LETTER: Protect casino staff from second-hand smoke 

I EMPATHISE with Mr Teng Koon Keong and his young niece who suffers from lung cancer, in the letter, 'Smoking in casinos: Up close and personal' (April 29). The evidence that cigarette smoke causes cancer is clear and undisputed. . . .

We need to protect non-smokers from suffering the ill-health effects of second-hand smoke in the workplace. Enlightened smoking patrons may even welcome such a move.

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Illegal cigarette peddler jailed for 10 months 

For illegally peddling six packets of cigarettes on which duty has not been paid, a 43-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 months in jail.

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The sentence, meted out on April 28, is the highest so far, given the quantity of the cigarettes involved, the Singapore Customs said yesterday.

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The convict, Tang Wah Hee, is a repeat offender and was therefore subject to the stiff punishment. . . .

Members of the public with information on the peddling of contraband cigarettes should contact the Singapore Customs hotline at 1800 233 0000 or email customs_intelligence@ customs.gov.sg.

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Know thy enemy...the dangers of smoking uncovered 

Professor Fagerström has been dealing with smokers for more than 30 years. He explains that the human body becomes completely altered once a person begins smoking regularly.

KF: We do have nicotine receptors in the cholinergic nervous system. So as much as you have receptors for heroin, we have receptors for nicotine. So nicotine directly acts on these receptors and the activation of these receptors in turn, means the activation of other receptors and systems in the body and the brain. Particularly important is the dopaminergic neurons because we know that dopamine is involved in virtually everything that has to do with pleasure and reward. So when nicotine comes, it means more dopamine released and then it gives pleasure and when you stop nicotine, you have a rebound effect.

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HPB puts spotlight on female smokers to kick habit 

More women are smoking. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) of Singapore discovered this during a survey which also revealed that the number of male smokers is dwindling.

To help women quit smoking, the Fresh Air for Women (FAFW) network, an initiative by the HPB, has launched a very public drive.

It has set up a Glass House along the Orchard Road shopping belt and won the support of a 26--year--old smoker who is openly declaring her determination to quit. . . .

Log on to www.freshair.sg for more information on anti--smoking campaigns.

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• 26-year-old smoker goes smoke-free for three days on Orchard Road  

SINGAPORE: A 26--year--old smoker who has been smoking for nearly half her lifetime has managed to spend the weekend free from cigarettes.

Cheyenne Lu spent three days and two nights living in a glass house set up by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).

Ms Lu said this weekend was her longest time without a cigarette since she was 14.

She said her previous attempts to quit failed because she did not tell her family or friends she was trying to give up. . . .

The project is part of HPB's Fresh Air for Women campaign to counter the growing trend of smoking among young women.

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