Smokers will have an even tougher time finding a place to light up next week.
From next Tuesday onwards, smoking will be banned at five new areas in Singapore:
-- common areas of all residential buildings
-- covered linkways and walkways
-- overhead pedestrian bridges
-- within 5-metre radius of bus shelters
-- hospital outdoor compounds
In a media statement issued on Friday, the National Environment Agency said the additional restrictions would further limit the exposure of the public to second-hand tobacco smoke.
While the ban will take place from next Tuesday, the NEA said offenders caught in the new areas for the next three months will receive mere warnings first.
Thereafter, flouters can be issued a fine of up to S$1000.
Educational posters will be put up at affected areas and bins with ashtrays at the affected areas will be replaced.
Property agent Timothy Yang, 26, is resigned to the latest smoking area bans.
"Most smokers are already prepared for restrictions like these to be implement. There's nothing much we can do. We just have to adapt and abide by the law. But it's definitely getting harder to be a smoker in Singapore," he said.
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