I would like to share the experience of a relative who has worked in a casino for more than 10 years. My niece is 34 years old and a mother of two boys, aged four and one.

Just before Chinese New Year, she was diagnosed to have lung cancer - fourth stage, which is the advanced stage. According to her cancer specialist doctor, there is no cure.

It is a death sentence she did not see coming her way. She is a non-smoker and has no family history of anyone suffering from cancer.

While no one can say with certainty that second-hand smoke in the gaming halls is the culprit, it is the most probable cause. Anecdotal accounts suggest incidence of cancer is common in her workplace.

Even though I have witnessed first hand the trying time my niece and her family are going through, I am not against the presence of casinos as they provide thousands of jobs. I recognise, too, the need to balance the interests of investors with possible premature loss of lives.

However, the social costs can be minimised to a certain extent. In this light, I urge the National Environment Agency to consider the following: