Bidadari residents plagued by second-hand smoke for 4 years, feel helpless as culprit remains unidentified
Second-hand smoke from an unknown unit has been drifting into flats at Block 114A Alkaff Crescent in Bidadari.
Stomper S, a resident of the block, alerted Stomp to the situation, which has been ongoing for the last four years.
She shared that many neighbours have experienced a drop in their quality of life due to the persistent smell of cigarette smoke.
She told Stomp that the suspected smoker has reportedly refused to engage with the authorities and continues to smoke, leaving residents feeling helpless.
"While we understand that smoking within one's home is not illegal, it becomes a serious concern when it infringes on the health and well-being of others in the community," she said.
Another resident, V, said her mother has been particularly affected by the smoke.
V's mother told Stomp that she "ran all over the place" in an attempt to identify the smoker, but couldn't figure out who it was due to the building's design.
She recounted repeated incidents in which she and other residents shouted out of their windows to scold the smoker, because even when residents' windows are closed, the smell of smoke still manages to seep in.
During some of these incidents, she was rebuked with shouts from an old woman. V's mother is unsure whether this old woman is the smoker, as she eventually gave up on trying to confront the culprit.
She told Stomp: "There's no problem with you smoking, just don't bother others."
S hopes that raising awareness on this issue can "encourage discussions around policies to better protect residents in high-density housing."
NEA's website encourages smokers to exercise social responsibility, and refrain from smoking where second-hand smoke can affect others, including neighbours living beside, above, or below them.
Smokers who smoke at home are advised to close the door and windows, or smoke in areas where smoking is not prohibited, such as open spaces and unsheltered carparks.
