1 in 5 smokers say yes to smoking in public toilets: poll
Posted: 26 November 2009 0829 hrs

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SINGAPORE: One in five smokers here have smoked, or would do so, in a public toilet. Why? "To save time by multi-tasking in the toilet" or because public toilets were "the most convenient place to smoke", were the most common reasons given in a recent street poll.

The poll, commissioned by Pfizer (Singapore) and the Restroom Association (Singapore) on 288 smokers, revealed that one in five smokers here had smoked or would do so in a public toilet.

The majority of such smokers also said that they would dispose of their cigarette butts in the toilet bowl.

However, those who had smoked in public toilets also said that there are deterrents to discourage them from smoking. More than one-third of such smokers said that while a heavy fine would be the most effective deterrent, at least a third felt that they would not smoke in the public toilet if it was very clean and nice-smelling.

In light of the findings, the pharmaceutical firm and the association have joined hands to implement a public awareness drive to discourage smokers from lighting up in public toilets.

From next month, all 24,500 public toilets across Singapore will display posters underlining the harm of nicotine addiction, encouraging smokers to overcome their cravings and quit the habit by calling the Health Promotion Board Quitline or seek help from a doctor or healthcare professional.

- TODAY/sc