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Image: from FB / Thomas Ngi
In the Hood
1 min.Read

Passenger says he almost suffocated in Grab ride due to heavy cigarette smoke

Beatrice Del Rosario
By Beatrice Del Rosario

SINGAPORE: An unhappy Grab customer, Mr Thomas Ng took to the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Sunday (Nov 19) to share his recent experience as a non-smoker riding in a car that allegedly had a “heavy, unbearable cigarette smell.” The man took the reported incident as an opportunity to urge Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers to be “more responsible” about this issue.

Mr Ngi also shared how being a non-smoker made it especially difficult, saying, “Being a non-smoker, I almost suffocated especially when I (sat) at the front seat. (I) looked around and saw an ashtray and the gearbox area filled with cigarette ashes. Even the windows, dashboard, etc. (were) dotted with dust and cigarette ashes. I would have gotten off the car if not for my three folks in the vehicle. Tolerated and breathed at 50% throughout the 45-minute journey.”

“PHV drivers, if you really have to smoke in your car, please do not use it as a PHV then,” he added. “Somebody might have an asthma attack. Be more responsible to your passengers.”

Mr Ngi also asked Grab for advice on what customers can do when assigned such vehicles. “Grab please advise what can passengers do when a dirty vehicle turns up,” he wrote. “Do your driver partners (have) a minimum standard of cleanliness?”

While many people are aware of the negative effects of smoking in general, thirdhand smoke is another issue that should not take a backseat to firsthand and secondhand smoke. According to Banner Health, thirdhand smoke is the residue that lingers on surfaces such as walls, furniture, clothes, and even skin after an individual smokes in a certain place. Studies have found that thirdhand smoke can damage DNA, which can lead people to develop chronic illnesses like cancer and asthma. It has also been found that long-term exposure to thirdhand smoke can have negative health effects similar to those of secondhand smoke.

The Independent Singapore has reached out to Grab for a statement on this matter.

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