Newspaper Reviews (3) & (4)

Newspaper review (3)
Date : 2 Jan 2009
Title : Stub it out, please.
From January 1, smokers will have to stub out in all hotel lobbies and 5 metres away from all
entrances and exits of buildings. The smoking ban will also cover almost all indoor places, with the inclusion of non-air-conditioned premises like lift lobbies, markets, multi-storey and basement carparks. Smoking will also be banned in outdoor areas like playgrounds and exercise areas. The National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday said it is widening the list of smoke-free places to keep the air cleaner and further protect the public from the harmful health effects of second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke, also known as 'environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoking', kills and scientific evidence shows that there is no safe level of exposure. It can cause serious medical conditions including lung cancer, heart disease, asthma attacks, childhood respiratory disease, sudden infant death syndrom and reduced lung function.

Reflections:
Cheers. Finally smoking ban in outdoor and indoor areas have been extented. I totally support such a move as part of a drive to stamp out smoking in Singapore. This may seem to be pretty inconvenient for smokers as they will have to walk to designated areas just to have a puff, but the ban can also help smokers by spending lesser money on cigarettes and less smoking at the thought of having to walk the extra mile just to settle that desire. Also, i feel that it is kind of unfair for people who smoke as they may be smoking for several reasons, not that i support people who smoke but they have their rights and freedom when they chose to smoke which may be due to their personal reasons (like stress). No matter how much they would've wanted to smoke, they should consider the people around them.
On the other hand, this ban will certainly benefit the non-smokers as some of them have been suffering in silence when they take in second-hand smoke while waiting for buses, or just walking on the streets.
Though i am very positive about this ban, actions speak louder than words, I've seen people who smoke just in front of a ' No Smoking' sign, they may just ignore the ban and smoke anywhere they want, people has just got to be more considerate. Whether this ban works or not, it depends on us to make it work.


Newspaper Review (4)
Date: 3rd Jan 2009
Title: ST Cartoonist's blog helps boy mauled by dog.
Straits Times cartoonist Lee Chee Chew's blog 'Chew on it!', called the attention of netizens to the abandoned Vietnamese baby who was savaged by a wild dog. It has since inspired other blogs to help. Mr Lee personally donated a sum of money to Thien Nhan, but was moved to do more to raise money and help give the boy a normal life. Donations from well-wishers have also poured in through other blogs.

Reflections
I always have this impression that the cyberspace is full of dangers and the environment can get very hostile at times. This is the same for blogs, i've seen people making personal attacks at their friends or to fire at them profanities just to vent their anger on it. Also, there have been many cases of stolen personal information or many would know the famous Edison Chen scandal. After reading this article, it gets a little heartwarming for me that there are people doing things on the net for a good cause, like donating-raising money for the needy. Putting all the negatives of using a blog, I find blogging a good medium to interact and communicate to people around the world as they'll get to know about such a case (like Thien Nhan and the money-raising issue) and offer their help in this matter and such a poor boy will not just wither and die but receive help from all over the world! I am very happy for him. This had made the change in my impression of the cyberworld. There are pros and cons into such a medium, it is how we handle it and not misuse such a great tech for greed or revenge. I am glad that there are still many good Samaritans in the world that are willing to offer their help to the needy.

Qiantong.