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Smokers who light up outside Orchard Road designated areas will be fined up to $1,000 from 1 Apr: NEA

A designated smoking area in Cuppage Terrace. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)
A designated smoking area in Cuppage Terrace. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

From next Monday (1 April), smokers in the Orchard Road precinct caught lighting up outside designated smoking areas can expect a fine of up to $1,000, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday.

Those caught flouting the ban may face a composition fine of $200, or up to the maximum court fine of $1,000. The agency stressed that such offenders will not be let off with a warning, as was the previous practice.

The precinct was designated as a no-smoking zone from 1 January, with the NEA taking a three-month advisory approach till Saturday to give members of the public “sufficient time to adjust”.

During this period, the NEA noted that a “vast majority of smokers” have been receptive and proceeded to smoke in the designated smoking areas, after being issued either verbal or written warnings by NEA officers and volunteers.

The number of verbal warnings issued decreased by more than 70 per cent, from an average of 1,900 a day in the first week of January to an average of 550 a day in mid-March.

The number dipped down to 87 per day from March 18, when NEA officers started issuing written warnings, said the agency.

According to an NEA poll conducted with 539 respondents over the same period, more than 80 per cent agreed that the amount of second-hand tobacco smoke in the main thoroughfare has reduced and that the overall visitor experience in Orchard Road has improved.

By segregating smokers from the non-smokers, it removes the risk of exposure to the non-smokers, as well as reducing the temptation faced by smokers who are trying to quit the habit,” said Dr Sue Lo, director and senior consultant medical oncologist at The Harley Street Heart and Cancer Centre.

(INFOGRAPHIC: NEA)
(INFOGRAPHIC: NEA)

Currently, there are more than 50 designated smoking areas, with the majority located about 100 to 200m apart and marked as yellow boxes outside shopping centres and hotels.

“Premises owners who deem it necessary to cater to the needs of smokers among their occupants and visitors, may also demarcate DSAs on their premises and put up directional signs leading to them,” said the NEA.

To keep tourists informed of the ban, the NEA said that informational materials are placed at Orchard Road Singapore Visitor Centre, and the points of entry into Singapore such as the Singapore Cruise Centre and Marina Bay Cruise Centre.

The NEA has also reached out to associations, licensed tour guides, and taxi companies.

The NEA will continue its efforts to inform members of the public about the ban. These include putting up electronic posts and brochures in Changi Airport, as well as making informational materials available at point-of-sales of tobacco products island-wide.

Posters and brochures can be seen throughout shopping centres, hotels and retail points for tobacco products in Orchard Road. Advertisements have also been placed at selected MRT stations, bus stops and on public buses that ply Orchard Road.

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New smoking ban along Orchard Road sparks criticisms from smokers

Bill to raise Singapore’s minimum smoking age to 21 tabled in Parliament