Forum: Test kits and tools can help resolve smoking disputes
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I was heartened to read the article “New saliva test kit can detect drug abuse in 10 minutes” (Feb 28) and to learn that such kits are already in use in Singapore. If the saliva test kit can detect drugs, it can detect nicotine as well.
Resolving residential smoking disputes has always been a challenge due to privacy issues and technological limitations in gathering evidence.
The saliva test kit, when used together with other tools, can help overcome this longstanding challenge.
One such tool is the pulse oximeter, a device that measures the oxygen level in one’s blood stream.
It can also measure carbon monoxide levels in smokers – which are normally higher than those in non-smokers. The pulse oximeter is a quick and easy way to identify who is smoking in an offending unit.
There is also the Smokerlyzer, a handheld monitor that measures the level of carbon monoxide in the body via a breath test. It can help to identify who has just smoked.
Such compact tools can aid enforcement officers in their search and investigation protocol when they receive complaints.
Chong Ling Eng
