It is heartening to note that the legal age for smoking has been raised from 18 to 21 years of age (Minimum legal age for smoking to be raised to 21; March 10).
More can be done to protect our children from second-hand smoke.
It is time for us to seriously consider having laws that will make it an offence for adults to smoke inside a vehicle when there are children inside.
As children tend to breathe more rapidly than adults, they are more prone to inhaling second-hand smoke in enclosed areas, such as in a vehicle, even with the windows open.
Their less-developed airways, immune systems and lungs mean they are exposed to greater risk of cancer, pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma when they inhale the chemicals in second-hand smoke.
I have witnessed many instances of adults smoking nonchalantly beside their children. They do not realise the harm they are doing.
Adults should also be educated on the harm second-hand smoke has on children nearby.
Seah Yam Meng