Banning Cigarettes in Singapore?

Recently, I came across an article regarding the smoking situation in Singapore. It was about the increase in offenders caught smoking in out-of-bound areas, just a month after the nationwide smoking ban was widened to include more public places. This shows that smoking is still prevalent in Singapore. Considering the many harmful effects of smoking, like lung cancer, it is worrying to see that so many people still do not seem to pay heed to doctors and quit smoking. This raised the question, “Why not simply ban cigarettes in Singapore?” With cigarettes being the main form of tobacco used in Singapore, I feel that such a ban should be imposed.

Firstly, there are numerous harmful effects of smoking. Some of the more severe health effects of smoking are that smoking causes heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer. This is just the tip of the iceberg. In Singapore alone, approximately seven people die due to smoking. As of 30 May 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) said smoking resulted in 4.9 million deaths worldwide a year. This means that a person dies due to smoking every 6.4 seconds! It is just unreasonable for smokers to kill or ham themselves by smoking. To stop smoking is not that simple though. With smoking usually becoming an addiction for smokers, it is very difficult for the smokers themselves to quit smoking. This is where the government can help these smokers by banning cigarettes. With cigarettes being the most popular form of tobacco that smokers use, banning cigarettes would effectively mean that people cannot smoke anymore. As such, a ban on cigarettes would drastically reduce the number of smokers. Those who flout the ban would be breaking the law and would be punished, which would deter them from smoking too. Thus, a ban on cigarettes would curb the problem of smoking and the number of smoking-related deaths in Singapore. Such a ban would also protect the health of smokers.

Secondly, smoking cigarettes also has adverse effects on other people who may be non-smokers. One very good example of adverse effects of smoking on non-smokers is on passive smokers, people who inhale cigarette smoke when someone else is smoking. These people are put at risk of an increased likelihood of heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer due to the irresponsible actions of another person, who smokes. These health effects can be much worse for children, whose mothers were passive smokers during their pregnancy. Such children are more likely to be born with learning disorders and underdeveloped bodies. Children who live in a household with a smoker can easily develop respiratory problems, like bronchitis. These are just a few of the numerous health implications of passive smoking. Is the passive smoker to be blamed for this? Certainly not. Suffering health problems because they were near a smoker is unfair on ever person. Even in a house, it is unfair to family members that they have to suffer due to a decision to smoke by another family member. Passive smokers are suffering due to the smoker’s decision. So, why not just ban cigarettes so that everyone’s health is not compromised. No cigarettes means that the main form of smoking is no longer there, which in turn means that the problem of passive smoking is almost altogether eradicated.

However, it might be argued that a ban on cigarettes would infringe the freedom of those who choose to smoke. It needs to be understood that a ban on cigarettes would serve as a guideline which Singapore’s society has to follow, so that it can develop into a better society and progress in a direction which benefits all Singaporeans. A cigarette-free environment would definitely be an improvement in the lives of all Singaporeans.

In conclusion, it can be said that a ban on cigarettes is in the best interests of Singapore. Thus, banning cigarettes would a step in the right direction for Singapore.