NEA cameras can catch smokers at windows, no invasion of privacy committed: MP Louis Ng

Singapore ― After being told that surveillance cameras couldn’t be used to capture someone smoking at their windows, parliamentarian Louis Ng (PAP-Nee Soon) proved with photos that it was possible.

“We have been told the use of the cameras will invade the privacy of smokers and their neighbours. But this can’t be true,” wrote Mr Ng on Facebook on Sunday (Sept 19).

He attached photos taken from National Environment Agency (NEA) surveillance cameras currently in use.

Mr Ng reiterated that camera surveillance is just one of the many options to deter smokers from smoking on windows and balconies.

“It is the last, last, last resort,” he added.

“Let me stress again that once people are aware that smoking near windows and at balconies is illegal, the vast majority of people will comply with it,” said Mr Ng, who spoke about the issue in Parliament on Sept 13.

In response to his speech, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor highlighted, “To achieve deterrence, not only do we need the appropriate law, but we also need effective enforcement. Unfortunately, NEA’s assessment is that this is not achievable with current enforcement modalities and technology.”

She also shared instances where attempts at deterrence were enacted with a temporary result as the same smoking behaviours resumed after a while.

However, Mr Ng noted that deterrence “will kick in” before the need of enforcement should the behaviour become explicitly prohibited.

“I cannot imagine a person continuing to smoke at their window, committing an offence right in front of their neighbours in the nearby block. I’m sure some neighbours will take photos of this and report the smoker or put it on social media,” he said.

Mr Ng added there was no need for surveillance cameras to be placed across Singapore and invade everyone’s privacy.

“For the small number of cases where we need to deploy a surveillance camera, we can minimise concerns of privacy by doing what we already do – point it at the facade of the building,” he said.

He noted that the same cameras used to catch high-rise litterbugs work just as effectively to detect those smoking at windows and balconies.

“I won’t give up and will continue to speak up!” said Mr Ng in his cause. /TISG

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