Recently I’ve come to ponder about how Singaporean Smokers are marginalised in our very own country.
For one thing – yes I have to agree that smoking itself, is harmful to yourself and the people around you(mind you these “people around you” are referring to people in your close proximity over a constant /long period of time. People like your parents, siblings, child, colleagues,partner.Other den these people, those with severe health problems aka asthma sufferers, sinus sufferers or those with acute breathing problems will be adversely affect by our smoking.
But can you imagine, that we are such a health threat that we have to continue our habit in zones and marked out areas that cater a space that is usually insufficient for the number of actual users? If you don’t get my drift…den please, the next time to go to a coffeeshop , look at the smokers section. Its not crowded there becoz there are so many smokers, its crowded becoz there is so little seats for smokers.
Smokers on average , pay a higher tax den most citizens in the exact same social conditions(work/salary/lifestyle) due to the extremely high duty tax levied on cigarettes. However, they are made to patronise the same restaurant/ hawker centre/ coffeeshop and are made to sit in a corner, zoned with a yellow coloring on the floor with offending (yes, I find it offending) signs dictating that this is a space that they are ALLOWED and SUPPOSED to continue their habit in. And we face a fine if we don’t. Now tell me , how would you feel, if a restaurant opened its doors, asked if you wanted a non-smoking seat and directed you to a space that was designated to your habits and that space was AT MOST 10% OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SEATING AREA. And you have company of 10. In the middle of lunchtime.
The Smokers probably cheered. But the non-smoker would have went home and blasted that restaurant on The Straits Time’s Forum Page.
The absolutely frustrating thing is , that non Smokers actually vie with us for that limited space too! Considering that we are legally obliged to occupy only the smoking section of the eatery, the general public is allowed to encroach into our designated spot AT WHIM! We can’t even evict them from their seats JUST BECAUSE WE ARE SMOKERS because the seats are for the GENERAL PUBLIC. So wad kind of dilemma do we Smokers end up in?
Designated Smoking areas are also discriminatory – for those who have served in National Service, we all know wad it is. Its a Yellow Box. We’ve been trapped in it for 2 years, now its on the streets. How abt we put a lane for Smokers to walk in while non Smokers walk in a glass lane? We shouldn’t have to live this way?!
I am a Smoker and its been my habit since I was 15. I know its bad for my health and others , but everyone will agree that its my life and how I live it is my own doing. But no habit should have you publicly humiliated exactly because nobody deserves that. Why should a Smoker go down the street , minding his own business and enjoying a stick – be subject to some auntie waving her hand in the air infront of her as you pass. As if her hands, gesturing like some ventilation turbine, is fast enough to channel the smoky( the word is with italics because it is perceived) air out of her airflow?
Its downright rude. Its like a White Man crossing the street when he sees a Black Man coming towards him on the pavement. Its DISCRIMINATION.But then again I dun wish to blow the bugles of Smokers without admitting to our faults.
Yes, we are fucked up too at times. The worst of us spit,throw our cigg butts blatantly, our empty cigg boxes are conveniently forgotten as we walk off from our bench or chair. We also are guilty of not taking the well being of others into consideration , with acts like standing upwind of a bus stop as we smoke, exhaling smoke while in crowds, wielding lit ciggs too close to people walking alongside or towards us on the pavements. How can we expect the understanding of non smokers when we are constantly stepping on their toes?
So I devise a Smokers’ Etiquette .
This following list contains simple acts of common sense that hopefully one day : will allow us to no longer be ridiculed by unknown aunties , health freaks and the general non smoking public. In return they will be more tolerant, understanding and courteous to Smokers.
- Throw your cigg butts,plastic wrappers,empty cigg boxes in proper bins at all times. Ashes are not part of the deal but you can try to contain the mess you make by all means.
- Stay on the downwind. Don’t smoke at the front of the bus stop – the oncoming wind blows your exhaled smoke to the dozens of others behind you.
- Watch your butt. I mean your cigg butt – ever tried brushing the lit end on your own skin? Well it hurts – so do other people! Move your lit stick away from oncoming human traffic, be aware of your sticks.
- Be morally upright. Don’t bellow out smoke in the direction of people, especially babies, pregnant mothers, young children, for god’s sakes people in general! You’re not Scarface or some gangster chasing a owed debt.
- Know when not to smoke. Yes you let the stick burn and that means your money is burning. But for fuck’s sakes…smoking while waiting for the traffic light to turn in Orchard Rd??? Its annoying even for a Smoker to be breathing in your Exhale.
Overall, I hope Smokers and non Smokers can stay in this City with no Ugly Yellow Boxes and packed smoking areas. In return, let us all Smokers be wiser and kinder to those who do not share the same enthusiasm as us in the enjoyment of a good tobacco product. Thank You.
Pics courtesy of ACRONYM.
as it is within; it is without. 