The Closed Window

Ever since we moved to our current flat, we didn't have the chance to open all our windows widely.

Why?

Because we are surrounded by smoking neighbours and every day, we are forced to inhale their secondhand smokes.

Every day is a battle of close-and-open-window guess game as it depends on the smokers' mood as to where they wanted to smoke. One day, they might be smoking in the kitchen; another day might be in the living room or another day in the bedroom. We have to rush from one place to another hastily closing one window after the next to prevent secondhand smoke drift into our house.

It was mentally and physically exhausting!

At the end, we decided to permanently close one of the windows as to cut down the hassles. Consequently, our house smell stale and there is always this cigarette or nictoine smell lingered in the air even though we don't smoke! We feel embarrass whenever there is visitors come by as their facial expression confirm the air quality in our house is bad. It seem that the PSI level in our house is always over 70 at unhealthy level.

It is very unfortunate! We have such a beautiful view outside our flat as the NEA is trying so hard to beautify our National Parks besides our block, But yet we are not able to open our windows widely for good viewing.

I wonder any of the government policy makers know about it?

HDB, do you know your policy of allowing smokers to smoke freely at home yet allow their secondhand smoke to get into their neighbours' house is self-contradictory?

The government in the past few years had done so well in educating the public about the harm of secondhand smoke but there is no law to protect the non-smokers? How ironic?

It is time the policy makers to keep up with the time and implement a long overdue law to protect the secondhand smoke victims. Give the secondhand victims a chance to open our windows freely without the worry of secondhand smoke drifting into our flat.

Let's us have some fresh air! Please ....... tolong, tolong! We've suffered long enough!