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A man is frustrated at having to put up with second-hand cigarette smoke from his neighbour’s unit, but feels at a loss over what can be done.
Stomper Anonymous, a retiree in his 70s, said he lives in Tampines where “the flats are not so old and the units are not too close to each other”.
Even so, he is not spared from second-hand smoke. Despite wearing a mask and closing all his windows, the Stomper claims that his neighbour’s cigarette smoke still drifts into his home through small gaps.
Anonymous said: “Help! My neighbour’s second-hand smoke is ruining my health. But there’s nothing we can do lah.
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Describing his flat being “widely segmented between units”, the Stomper said he had enjoyed decades of smoke-free environment.
Unfortunately, this has changed since a new tenant moved into a unit upstairs weeks ago, he said.
“Dealing with smoking neighbours is challenging and stressful. Indeed, there’s nothing much we can do since it’s not illegal,” he said, adding that those living in newer Built-To-Order flats with closely knitted units are hit the hardest.
“Smokers believe it’s okay to subject their neighbours to second-hand smoke simply because they’re within the confines of their own property.”
The Stomper pointed out that this mindset is not wrong.
“It wouldn’t be right to expect someone to give up their liberties in their home,” he said. “I also don’t have the right to stop them or tell the owner to rent the unit or room only to non-smokers.”
Anonymous said not only would this be an invasion of privacy, but he also believes that “there’s no point talking to them” because smokers are not obliged to listen to his pleas.
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