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Smoking in public areas of Orchard Road prohibited from July 2018

Orchard Road. Yahoo Singapore file photo
Orchard Road. Yahoo Singapore file photo

Smoking will no longer be allowed in all public areas along the Orchard Road area from 1 July next year, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a press release on Friday (30 June).

All existing smoking areas of the Orchard Road precinct, which stretches from Tanglin Road to Dhoby Ghaut, will be removed by 30 June 2018.

Smoking in the Orchard Road precinct will only be permitted at designated smoking areas. Currently, there are five government-owned designated smoking areas, located behind Somerset MRT Station, Cuppage Terrace, Far East Plaza, Orchard Towers and The Heeren. (For a pdf map of the smoke-free zone, as well as lists of affected roads and buildings, click here.)

The ban is in line with the NEA’s vision to “protect the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke”, the statement said.

NEA will take an “advisory approach” in the first three months after the Orchard smoking ban kicks in – from 1 July 2018 to 30 September 2018, people found smoking in public areas within the Orchard zone will receive only verbal warnings.

From 1 October next year, those caught smoking will face a fine of up to $1,000.

The ban however, does not apply to landed residential premises within the Orchard Road area. The open areas within the compounds of non-landed residential premises will also not be subjected to the prohibition, with the exception of exercise areas and playgrounds.

No more smoking corners in food retail establishments

In addition to the Orchard area ban, NEA also announced that they will not accept applications for smoking corners in all food retail establishments islandwide.

Existing ones will be allowed to remain until their respective licences are terminated or cancelled.

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