Curbing Smoking Addiction
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Singapore Forum : Curbing Smoking Addiction
Smoking addictions is one of the growing problems in Singapore. Findings from a report highlighted a rising trend of young female smokers aged 18-29 years, with an increasing smoking rate from 5.2% in 1998 to 6.6% in 2004. [12] Furthermore, according to statistics in 2007, daily smoking was most prevalent in young adults aged 18 to 29 years (17.2%).
Hence, we have decided to try tackling this problem by coming up with several ideas.
The ideas are as follows:
- Setting up vending machines that sell cigarettes
This has already been implemented in several countries around the globe. For example, Japan has implemented this measure and only those who own a taspo card is able to purchase the cigarettes from the vending machines.
Our idea is to adopt this measure and further modify it to remove the limitations of the current measure.
Advantages:
- able to track down smoking addicts
- only allow those who are of the legal age to purchase the cigarettes (usage of taspo card in Japan's case)
Limitations:
- minors are able to attain the cards from their parents or adult friends to buy the cigarettes
- previous shop owners who sell cigarettes would not want to support this measure as they would suffer a huge loss in revenue.
Modifications:
- implement a fingerprint checking system
This double checks that no minors are able to purchase the cigarettes. Even if they steal the cards from adults, they are unable to purchase them. Such acts would be detected and these minors will be sent for counselling.
In addition to that, it also double checks the identity of the consumer. This would enable us to take acton on those who purchase cigarettes excessively in a day.
- place the vending machines in the shops (shop owners have control over the vending machines)
Shop owners would be the ones replenishing the stocks of the vending machines. They would still be able to attain the profits gained from the sale of cigarettes from the vending machines. Hence, the shop owers won't incur a huge loss anymore.
2. Establishment of anti-smoking camp
Smokers would get psychological support from fellow smoker and certified hypnotherapists. According to research quoted on the Hypnosis Network site, "studies shows that a single session hypnosis treatment to stop smoking produces about a 25% success rate, whreas about 66% of those engaging in at least 4-5 sessions of hypnosis quit smoking after a 6-12 month period. (Hammond 1990, p 407).
In this camp, they would get the aid and psychological support which they require, thereby making it easier for them to quit smoking as they constantly receive encouragements from fellow smokers or the certified hypnotherapists.
Advantages:
- assist smokers kick their habits
Make it easier for them to share their thoughts and feelings to people who have gone through the same kind of situation as them. They also know that they are not going through it along. It also allows them to get a lot of support from a lot of people, especially family and friends.
- a wake up call
Consultation by professionals would help them realise their mistakes in their lifestyle. They are aware of the many options whereby they can live their lives.
Limitations:- camp is costly
Professionals are hired to monitor the smokers' progress after and during camp.
- small number of professionals
They have a fear that it may be too tough. They may also feel a social stigma that the society does not tolerate smokers.
Modifications:
- involve volunteers
Professionals who are truly passionate about helping smoker kick the habit or reduce on their intake of cigarettes. Hence, we do not neeed to spend money on hiring them.
- create anti-smoking hotlines
Another method to assist current smokers to kick the habit. Those who cannot afford the camp can call the hotlines to guide them through their intention of kicking the habit.
3. Setting up a police force that specializes in operations to curb illegal sales
Presently, operations to curb illegal sales of cigarettes are conducted by neighbourhood police centres and their efforts are inarguably not coordinated. Most of the operations are also conducted by general officers, who might not have the expertise and experience on tackling such problems.
Advantages:
- more specific job scopes
The officers would be more specialized and trained in these aspects. They are more skilled in tackling and handling such problems.
- Shows the governement's support
This shows that the government takes this problem seriously as they are willing to set up a branch specifically to attend to such problems.
Limitations:
- increase in cost for the police force
They would have to send the police officers for training. They would also have to recruit more officers and hence, increasing the amount of salaries that have to be given out.
- requires approval of the singapore government
We have to go through the government before this measure can be implemented.
Modifications:- leveraging volunteers at the Recidents' Committee(RC) level in the fight against smoking.
This reduces the workload of the police force. However, the police force would have to train them and have monthly checks on their progress. This is a good modification because the RC has a better understanding of the estate that they are in charge of and they know the community better so it would be easier for them.
We hope that you will give your feedback on which measure is the most effective and if you think that these measures are feasible after the modifications that we have made. We would really appreciate your opinions and ideas on how to further improbe this project of ours.
BEAMPlified.(:
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wrong forum....
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lol..... the present system is fine... people should be given the right to smoke so long as they know the risks and they are of legal age....
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every prevention measures have a loophole
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Wait.... its a project... not giving any comments
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wall of text can't be bothered to read