STOMPer Catninja felt that shop vendors in Bukit Batok were burning excessively right behind a HDB flat, and residents in the area complained of the resultant smoke and mess left behind.

Said the STOMPer:

"Neighborhood vendors burning waaaaay too much joss paper, causing breathing discomfort to residents as well as ruining the clean environment.

"On Sept 13, shop vendors (from a single shop) at Bukit Batok East Ave Block 274 were seen burning a large amount of joss papers and other offerings right behind the HDB flat, which resulted to complains not just from the flat behind, but also from the residents around the entire area.

"I understand that it's a Chinese tradition to burn offerings during the 7th lunar month, I respect that and as a Chinese I do that too.

"But this is going way too far. This is like...fogging the entire neighborhood.

"Imagine if there's a baby or young child upstairs with asthma...how do you think that will affect that child or baby?

"The older residents were also complaining about other discomforts such as coughing, running nose, headache and breathing difficulties.

"Apart from the health issues caused by this excessive burning of offerings it's causing enviromental issues as well.

"I'm not going to be a 'saint' and go on about global warming and greenhouse gases and stuff. I'm just talking about the neighborhood cleanliness.

"Look at all those joss paper, plastic bags, cardboard boxes that they threw all over the place!

"I don't think they'll bother to clean things up later on?

"Honestly, I feel bad for the neighborhood cleaners. I don't mean to stop this tradition, but maybe just reduce the damage it causes?"