Channel NewsAsia - 2 hours 37 minutes
ago
SINGAPORE: More women are smoking. The Health Promotion Board
(HPB) of Singapore discovered this during a survey which also
revealed that the number of male smokers is dwindling.
To help women quit smoking, the Fresh Air for Women (FAFW)
network, an initiative by the HPB, has launched a very public
drive.
It has set up a Glass House along the Orchard Road shopping belt
and won the support of a 26 year old smoker who is openly declaring
her determination to quit.
Cheyenne Lu will spend three days in the Glass House in her
battle to stop smoking and go cold turkey during that time.
The first three days, also known as the 'three—day hump’ is the
most difficult period of quitting and Lu will put the philosophy to
the test while showcasing a smoker’s smoke—free journey.
If the attention she draws living the Glass House won’t get Lu
to stick out the urge for a stick, the FAFW has also provided her
with wireless internet access, a collection of her favourite DVDs
and an entertainment system to play them on, as well as stylish
furnishings and snacks.
In addition, the HPB has arranged for several activities to keep
the freelance writer distracted and help her overcome any cigarette
cravings. These activities include fitness workouts, make—up
sessions and consultations with a quit advisor.
Through the effort, the FAFW hopes other women smokers can learn
ways to also quit smoking.
Ms Choo Lin, Deputy Director of the Health Promotion Board’s
Smoking Control Programme said: “This is the first time that
someone is going to quit smoking in such a public event. I think
that this shows her commitment and her courage and that is very
important for FAFW because that is what we represent, we want to
encourage women to feel the strength and try to stop smoking.
“I think many women are very afraid of issues such as weight
gain or stress or temptation (if they quit) we hope that through
Cheyenne’s actions, they will feel inspired and more courageous to
give (quitting) a try.”
Like many, Lu who has been smoking for 12 years started the
habit during her teen years due to ”peer pressure”.
The heavy smoker who describes her latest effort as “one of the
biggest challenges” in her life, has been smoking about 12 to 15
sticks a day.
In terms of health cost, Lu saw a deterioration in her health
and skin condition, forcing her to steer herself in a smoke—free
direction.
Financially, she calculated that she’d been spending more than
S$300 a month on cigarettes.
The money saved from cigarettes she reasoned, could go towards a
ticket to London where the soccer fan can do something she’d
dreamed of —— catching her favourite football club, Arsenal in
action.
“It’s a start where I consciously save the money used for
smoking, and use it for something that is more meaningful and
beneficial to me things which I can enjoy more than smoking itself,
like travelling to England to watch Sesc Fabregas and Arsenal
play!”
Lu will document her smoke free journey on her online blog.
Members of the public are also invited to leave her messages of
encouragement through her message board or visit the glass house
outside Ngee Ann City to cheer her on.
Log on to www.freshair.sg for more information on anti—smoking
campaigns. -CNA/yb