Singapore: Smoking Ban Extended to More Public Areas from Jan 15

Source from:  TODAYonline (sg)  01/14/2013

Smoking will be banned in more public areas, when changes to the law kick in on Jan 15 to better protect the public from second-hand smoke.

This means smokers will not be able to light up at the common areas of all residential buildings, covered linkways and walkways, overhead pedestrian bridges, outdoor compounds of hospitals, as well as within a five-metre radius of bus shelters.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) says those caught smoking in the new areas in the first three months will be let off with a warning, in order to give the public time to adjust. However, those who keep flouting the law even though they had been warned can be fined up to S$1,000.

NEA has been working with stakeholders to put up signage at places such as staircase landings, lift lobbies and bus stops. Bins with ashtrays will be shifted or replaced with bins without ashtrays, and will be moved five metres away. Enditem