Well, I found out that I am not Superman as my body shut down last night after pushing the limits in the last 3 nights! So, this is the 2-day catch up!
1. "Shisha to be banned in Singapore from Nov 28 - AsiaOne Nov 27, 2014
SINGAPORE - The ban on shisha in Singapore will take effect from Nov 28, said a statement released today by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The ban comes under the new Prohibited Tobacco Products Regulations made under Section 15 of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
MOH added that existing licensed importers and retailers of shisha tobacco will be allowed to continue importing and selling it until July 31, 2016, to allow them adequate time to deplete their stock and restructure their businesses away from shisha."
Well, it is here. And it is REAL!
The 'don't-be-a-nanny-as-we-are-adults-and-have-the rights-to-smoke-what-we-want' folks will be very upset at this ban. The 'hey-don't-hurt-yourself-and-2nd-hand-smoker' folks will be elated that such decisive action had been taken against shisha as some of they actually wanted the ban to be applied to the regular cigarettes!!
Will it drive smoking of shisha underground as some said? It can happen though with the heavy penalties for offenders, it does carry some strong deterrent!
As for those who smoke shisha as part of the culture but are currently residing in Singapore, I am not sure if they can smoke it in the private of their homes and NOT 'sell' it as merchants to make money?
For a HPB Health Ambassador, I definitely are for banning of shisha smoking. And also wish that the same can be done for normal cigarettes! Of course, that will mean massive help for those who are addicted to the normal cigarettes as they are 'forced' to kick that habit.
2. "Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong says police 'tried to hurt' him - AFP Nov 27, 2014
HONG KONG - Hong Kong student protest leader Joshua Wong Thursday accused police of using violence against him during his arrest as authorities clashed with demonstrators at a flashpoint rally site.
The 18-year-old Wong and another student leader, Lester Shum, were taken into custody Wednesday as authorities moved in to clear the pro-democracy camp in the district of Mongkok, scene of some of the most violent clashes in nearly two months of rallies."
For some of my Hkg friends, it was painful to see the protest sites being cleared as they are 'pro-democracy'. For some of my Hkg friends, they are delighted to see the protest sites being 'liberated' as they felt that the 'vocal minority' had laid seized to the 'silent majority' in this 'forced occupation' campaign. Many of them do have sympathy for the students but felt that had 'overstayed' their welcome.
As for this allegation of violence against him and other students' leaders, it is 'what you say vs. what they say' or 'what evidence you can show vs. what evidence they can show' situation.
For anyone who had been involved in a crowd control exercise or in a mass scuffle to restore laws and orders, use of force to pin down someone is not easy when the subjects are struggling and resisting hard!
Painting the police in the bad light is a good strategy for sure. The HARD question is: why do the police need to be called in to do what they had just done? to clear the protest sites!
I rest my case for the students' leaders. It is obvious that if it is staged in Singapore, I will NOT be supportive of such illegal actions!
1. "Shisha to be banned in Singapore from Nov 28 - AsiaOne Nov 27, 2014
SINGAPORE - The ban on shisha in Singapore will take effect from Nov 28, said a statement released today by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The ban comes under the new Prohibited Tobacco Products Regulations made under Section 15 of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
MOH added that existing licensed importers and retailers of shisha tobacco will be allowed to continue importing and selling it until July 31, 2016, to allow them adequate time to deplete their stock and restructure their businesses away from shisha."
Well, it is here. And it is REAL!
The 'don't-be-a-nanny-as-we-are-adults-and-have-the rights-to-smoke-what-we-want' folks will be very upset at this ban. The 'hey-don't-hurt-yourself-and-2nd-hand-smoker' folks will be elated that such decisive action had been taken against shisha as some of they actually wanted the ban to be applied to the regular cigarettes!!
Will it drive smoking of shisha underground as some said? It can happen though with the heavy penalties for offenders, it does carry some strong deterrent!
As for those who smoke shisha as part of the culture but are currently residing in Singapore, I am not sure if they can smoke it in the private of their homes and NOT 'sell' it as merchants to make money?
For a HPB Health Ambassador, I definitely are for banning of shisha smoking. And also wish that the same can be done for normal cigarettes! Of course, that will mean massive help for those who are addicted to the normal cigarettes as they are 'forced' to kick that habit.
2. "Hong Kong student leader Joshua Wong says police 'tried to hurt' him - AFP Nov 27, 2014
HONG KONG - Hong Kong student protest leader Joshua Wong Thursday accused police of using violence against him during his arrest as authorities clashed with demonstrators at a flashpoint rally site.
The 18-year-old Wong and another student leader, Lester Shum, were taken into custody Wednesday as authorities moved in to clear the pro-democracy camp in the district of Mongkok, scene of some of the most violent clashes in nearly two months of rallies."
For some of my Hkg friends, it was painful to see the protest sites being cleared as they are 'pro-democracy'. For some of my Hkg friends, they are delighted to see the protest sites being 'liberated' as they felt that the 'vocal minority' had laid seized to the 'silent majority' in this 'forced occupation' campaign. Many of them do have sympathy for the students but felt that had 'overstayed' their welcome.
As for this allegation of violence against him and other students' leaders, it is 'what you say vs. what they say' or 'what evidence you can show vs. what evidence they can show' situation.
For anyone who had been involved in a crowd control exercise or in a mass scuffle to restore laws and orders, use of force to pin down someone is not easy when the subjects are struggling and resisting hard!
Painting the police in the bad light is a good strategy for sure. The HARD question is: why do the police need to be called in to do what they had just done? to clear the protest sites!
I rest my case for the students' leaders. It is obvious that if it is staged in Singapore, I will NOT be supportive of such illegal actions!
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