Offenders will get only warnings for next 3 months before fines kick in
By Feng Zengkun, The Straits Times, 12 Jan 2013
SMOKERS will have fewer spots to light up in from next Tuesday, with the authorities extending the smoking ban in public places to five more areas.
These are:
- Common areas of all residential buildings such as void decks, staircases and corridors.
- Covered linkways and walkways.
- Overhead pedestrian bridges.
- Within a 5m radius of bus shelters. It is already disallowed at bus stops.
- Outdoor areas of hospital compounds. It is already prohibited inside hospitals.
The new rules apply to private apartment buildings too.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) yesterday said rubbish bins with ash trays that fall within these areas will be shifted or replaced with bins without ashtrays. Bins with ash trays found at bus shelters will be moved 5m away.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) yesterday said rubbish bins with ash trays that fall within these areas will be shifted or replaced with bins without ashtrays. Bins with ash trays found at bus shelters will be moved 5m away.
In the next three months, those caught smoking in the newly banned areas will get only warnings unless they had repeatedly flouted the law. This is to give smokers time to adjust to the new rules, the NEA said.
After that, offenders can be fined up to $1,000.
It said the long-term goal is to make all public places smoke-free except at designated smoking points or areas.
Given this, building owners should look into demarcating designated smoking points within their premises for smokers, it added.
With the extension of the ban, smoking will now be allowed only in open public spaces such as the Marina Promenade, surface carparks, uncovered areas at the top of multi-storey carparks, in beaches and parks, along park connectors, in homes and in a few other areas. One cannot smoke in nature reserves, though.
It said the long-term goal is to make all public places smoke-free except at designated smoking points or areas.
Given this, building owners should look into demarcating designated smoking points within their premises for smokers, it added.
With the extension of the ban, smoking will now be allowed only in open public spaces such as the Marina Promenade, surface carparks, uncovered areas at the top of multi-storey carparks, in beaches and parks, along park connectors, in homes and in a few other areas. One cannot smoke in nature reserves, though.
The NEA said the new restrictions are meant to further limit the harmful effects of second- hand tobacco smoke. Several studies have found that inhaling such smoke can substantially increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
The expanded ban also has the support of many Singaporeans, it said. An online survey in November 2011 by the agency and the Health Promotion Board garnered more than 8,000 responses, and about nine in 10 wanted more smoke-free public spaces.
The expanded ban also has the support of many Singaporeans, it said. An online survey in November 2011 by the agency and the Health Promotion Board garnered more than 8,000 responses, and about nine in 10 wanted more smoke-free public spaces.
Mr Ong Bock Kim, who works in a pharmacy and is in his 40s, said the larger smoke-free zone around bus stops could protect students and young children.
"Many kids gather at bus stops. It's not healthy for them to be near smokers," said the father of a teenager.
But housewife Angie Lai, 26, an occasional smoker, is sceptical that the ban will deter the smokers.
Dr Ong Kian Chung, 49, a respiratory physician at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, said the 5m no-smoking zone will be enough to help non-smokers avoid the harmful effects of cigarette smoke.
"It won't help smokers to kick the habit though. For that, they may need more help such as counselling."
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