Smoking ban to be extended

QX179R SG

Channel NewsAsia - Friday, February 29

SINGAPORE : The smoking ban will be extended to more areas next year. From 1 January 2009, it will be an offence to smoke in all children’s playgrounds, exercise areas and markets.

Entertainment outlets like pubs and bars are already no—smoking areas. And this has led to a significant improvement in the indoor air quality, with an 80 percent reduction in the amount of air—borne particulate matter — which are associated with a higher risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said it has also received positive feedback from pub operators and patrons. So it is extending the smoking ban to more areas, to offer greater protection to non—smokers.

From 1 January next year, smoking will be prohibited at all children’s playgrounds, exercise areas, markets, underground and multi—storey carparks, ferry terminals and jetties.

It will also be extended to non—air conditioned areas in offices, factories, shops, shopping complexes and lift lobbies.

There are plans to cover more areas.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Environment and Water Resources Minister, said, "In the meantime, we are consulting the hotel industry on the possible extension of the smoking prohibition to hotel lobbies. We will also be working with building owners to prohibit smoking at the entrances and exits of buildings and facilities, as well as the covered walkways abutting buildings."

Dr Yaacob added that efforts to raise awareness among the young on the ill—effects of smoking have also paid off.

Such efforts include mandatory counselling for recalcitrant under—aged smokers and making available smoking cessation services in all polyclinics and several hospitals.

As a result, there has been a reduction in the proportion of youths aged between 13 and 16 who have tried smoking.

This went down from 26 percent in 2000 to 19 percent in 2006.

The Minister was responding to various MPs who raised questions in Parliament on Friday on the government’s plans to create a sustainable environment for the future. — CNA/ms

hloc SG

Best lah....

maurizio13 SG

aiyo.

a simpler solution, ban cigarettes.

redDUST SG

i live 4 ciggy.....give us some breathing space!

QX179R SG

Channel NewsAsia - Sunday, March 2

SINGAPORE: Reactions are divided on the government’s announcement that the smoking ban will be extended to more public areas from next year.

Smoking is already banned in places like inside air—conditioned buildings and inside entertainment outlets like pubs and clubs.

From 1 January next year, smoking will also be prohibited at children’s playgrounds, exercise areas, markets, underground and multi—storey carparks, ferry terminals and jetties.

The ban will also be extended to non—air conditioned areas in offices, factories, shops, shopping complexes and lift lobbies.

The government is extending the smoking ban so as to offer greater protection to non—smokers.

The move is music to the ears of non—smokers.

"I think it will be a better environment for everyone," said a non—smoker.

"If you don’t ban (smoking), those teenagers, school—going children will tend to buy (cigarettes) and smoke. It’s not good for them. So ban (it) totally is better," said another.

But others are not happy over the ban.

"It’s a good idea....but in the open (areas), they should give people choices. If there’s a group of people smoking, (if) you don’t like the smell, you don’t go near them," said a member of the public.

"Air is everywhere, so when you smoke.... it (the smoke) will also travel, so there’s no point....." said another.

The latest expansion of smoke—free areas will not stop here, as there are plans to further extend the smoking ban. — CNA/ir

chrisbenoit SG

The first thing the G'ment should do is obviously lower cigg prices. Ban here ban there ban there ban here. Can G'ment do something for smokers' rights?

For starters, lower by 60 cents for a pack of 20s.

Yuki~! SG

Great

Now macdonalds @ Lot1 no more smoking corner liao
The whole place fully air-con, wtf