In recent years, smoking has been an especially controversial issue as some segments of society pushed for it to be banned in more places.
Of course, this is good news for those who don’t want to experience the adverse effects of secondhand smoke, especially if they have breathing difficulties.
That was what one TikTok user learned when she hopped onto her Grab ride and noticed that the driver was wearing a respirator — he apparently had breathing issues.
He even put up signs to discourage smoking, listing the adverse side effects that cigarettes might cause.
On Monday (27 Jun), TikToker user @tofububblez shared a video of herself on a Grab ride, with signs plastered all over the front seats.
As she panned the camera over to the driver, he could be seen wearing a respirator and gloves.
Source: @tofububblez on TikTok
Viewers soon learned the reasons behind the unusual signages — the driver apparently has breathing difficulties.
Source: @tofububblez on TikTok
According to the signs, the driver is apparently very sensitive and allergic to a number of smells and substances:
Because of this, the windows will be open for better circulation, said the sign.
The driver also apologised in advance for any inconvenience caused.
Apart from signages that explain his own preferences, there were also other signs that discouraged others from smoking.
On one sign, he listed the health risks that smoking poses to others.
Source: @tofububblez on TikTok
On another sign, the words “Do you love your loved one, family, and friends?” were displayed.
It also showed a pictorial comparison between a non-smoker’s lungs and a smoker’s lungs.
Source: @tofububblez on TikTok
In her caption, the TikTok user wrote ‘Thank you uncle’. She later took to the comment section to clarify that the uncle was very nice.
Source: @tofububblez on TikTok
The OP added that the smoke smell probably made his breathing issues worse, hence the signs.
At the time of writing, the video has garnered over 111,0000 views on TikTok.
Some netizens were both tickled and amazed by how the taxi driver seemed to be running an anti-smoking campaign while fetching customers between places.
Another netizen even shared that she encountered the same driver before and said she felt bad at the time as she was wearing strong perfume and that the uncle had to pop the windows open.
Source: @tofububblez on TikTok
Other netizens empathised with the taxi driver, saying they felt bad for him as he tries his best to work despite his allergies.
Source: @tofububblez on TikTok
Grab drivers spend long hours behind the wheel — the uncle’s health issues must make an already-challenging job all the more tiring.
Regardless of whether you agree with his views, it’s easy to sympathise with him.
We hope others will be inspired to put themselves in the shoes of their drivers and will be considerate the next time they book a ride.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from @tofububblez on TikTok.
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