Smoker's problems are our problems: MP

[Sammyboy RSS Feed]

An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

Smoker's problems are our problems: MP
Smoker's problems are our problems: MP
Printer-friendly version Share/Save Font biggerFont smaller
Posed photo of a person smoking a cigarette.
Sunday, Feb 01, 2015
The New Paper
By Foo Jie Ying
SINGAPORE - If a smoker keeps up with the habit despite having been discharged from hospital for a smoking-related disease, make him pay more.

That was what Dr Janil Puthucheary suggested in Parliament yesterday, during the MediShield Life Scheme Bill debate.

MediShield Life is a national health insurance scheme that is due to be launched at the end of this year.


According to Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, all Singapore citizens and permanent residents are required to participate in the national risk pool even if they are overseas, "as part of collective responsibility".

Explaining his suggestion, Dr Puthucheary said: "The universality of the MediShield Life scheme and the intended risk pooling means that the problems of smokers are now all our problems.

"The impact of smoking-related diseases will increase the premiums for all Singaporeans unless we continue to act to help people stop smoking."

The MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, who has spoken extensively about a tobacco-free generation, then suggested using the "economics of MediShield Life to help drive the right behaviour".

"Specifically, if a person should be discharged... from public hospitals with a smoking-related disease, thereafter for all costs related to

the same disease, should he not have to pay a larger proportion of the bill if he still smokes?" he asked.

A simple urine test for by-products of tobacco will reveal if the patient continues to smoke after being discharged, he added.

Commenting on Dr Puthucheary's suggestion, media expert Mano Sabnani said enforcement will be difficult.

"If such a policy were to be imposed on smokers, what about other bad habits like drinking or lack of exercise?" he added.

Mr Sabnani also pointed out that there are already existing measures in place to discourage smoking, like the high prices of cigarettes and the banning of smoking in many public places.

This article was first published on January 30, 2015.
Get The New Paper for more stories.


Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com.