Dec. 19, 2011
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/singapore-considers-widening-smoking-ban/485613
Smoking is banned in the majority of indoor locations in Singapore. Among them are shopping malls, cinemas and night spots.
Smoking is also not allowed in places such as bus stops, swimming pools and basement carparks. Designated smoking areas are allowed in certain premises such as eating establishments and entertainment outlets.
The authorities are now considering extending a smoking ban to public spaces such as common corridors and staircase landings in HDB blocks, parks and park connectors, and beaches.
Smoking corners in entertainment outlets, hawker centers and food establishments may also have to go. All these areas have been flagged as problem spots based on public feedback gathered by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
It launched an islandwide consultation exercise last month seeking views from the public whether they want smoking at these places banned.
The proposal to widen the smoking ban comes after the NEA caught an increasing number of people flouting the law. In the first 10 months of this year, it issued 4,462 tickets to errant smokers. Last year, the figure was 4,646. Offenders can be fined up to $1,000.
Reprinted courtesy of Straits Times Indonesia. To subscribe to Straits Times Indonesia and/or the Jakarta Globe call 021 2553 5055.