Singapore reviewing smoking ban to include more areas
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SINGAPORE : Smoking could be banned in more places in Singapore.
Giving notice to diehard smokers was the Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim who told Parliament that the National Environment Agency is studying if bus stops, coffee shops and hawkers centres should be covered by the ban.
It is rather expensive to have a puff in Singapore, with taxes on cigarettes, one of the few which constantly go up each Budget Day.
And with feedback from the public, the National Environment Ministry is now studying if, besides indoor places where food is sold and in queues, the ban can be extended to some of the few outdoor areas which smokers can now smoke without breaking the law.
The call to ban smoking in pubs and nightspots have become louder.
MPs who spoke on Wednesday emphasised the need to protect passive smokers especially the young.
And it's because of public feedback on the issue that the Environment Ministry is studying if the ban should be expanded and not just to smoke filled nightspots.
"I think if smokers can be considerate enough not to blow the smoke in the children's way then you can leave us our space. There is very little space that we have left compared to other countries," said one non-smoker.
"It's a good idea that they ban smoking in the coffeeshop area, because as a pregnant woman we also patronise this area and the smoke will harm us," said another.
Cynthia Phua, MP, Aljunied GRC, said: "There are many young children especially in hawker centres and eating houses...It is very easy for a passive smoker to become an active smoker."
Minister Yaacob told the House that the NEA will study the issues carefully and consult both the public and businesses before taking a decision.
He said: "We do have evidence to show that non-smokers who are exposed to the smoking environment eventually take up the smoking habit and this is something we want to prevent. We will consult, we will consider all the issues before we move because there are implications."
He added that businesses will be consulted because they have to be made to understand that the move will not affect them adversely.
"At the same time we want them to be a responsible partner in the move to encourage people not to smoke and to take up a healthy lifestyle," the minister told the House.
A coffeeshop stallholder said: "If they ban the smoking in these coffeeshops that will affect our business. All the smokers cannot smoke here. Usually after they have their drinks, they will relax and smoke, then they go, continue their work."
But then the question of enforcement will arise and what sort of penalties will there be for smokers who decide to light up in these areas. - CNA -
in school, my friends just smoke like that, i mean so many people took up the habit duirng jcs or army days...
hmm, but of course it really harmful to my health coz i will be passive smoker, but bo pian, i need them to finish the projects, and they need the nicotine shot.. -
It'll be really strange to have coffeeshop ban smoking.
I mean, that's one of the areas smokers go and congregate! I can't imagine the businesses of the coffeeshop if the ban really comes around...
Non-smokers are affected, but what can we do? So many people in SIngapore smoke. Curse that guy who discovered tobacco! (Columbus wasn't it?)
I hardly think it will be passed. -
I had thought FI would be 1st to reply
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Bus int even more funny... Waiting berth cannot smoke, but bus parking bay that is beside canOriginally posted by _Aaron_:It'll be really strange to have coffeeshop ban smoking.
I mean, that's one of the areas smokers go and congregate! I can't imagine the businesses of the coffeeshop if the ban really comes around...
Non-smokers are affected, but what can we do? So many people in SIngapore smoke. Curse that guy who discovered tobacco! (Columbus wasn't it?)
I hardly think it will be passed. -
they didnt realise smoke can travel all over places....Originally posted by sbst275:Bus int even more funny... Waiting berth cannot smoke, but bus parking bay that is beside can
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FireIce would be
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Nope. The funniest thing about bus interchanges is that there are no rubbish bins around, so we dump stuff all over the place. Ain't that funny?Originally posted by sbst275:Bus int even more funny... Waiting berth cannot smoke, but bus parking bay that is beside can -
Because of terroist threatsOriginally posted by _Aaron_:Nope. The funniest thing about bus interchanges is that there are no rubbish bins around, so we dump stuff all over the place. Ain't that funny? -
I know why they do it, but it still doesn't seem quite logical to me. This whole terrorist thing. Hmm, maybe IÂ’ll start a new topicOriginally posted by sbst275:Because of terroist threats
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Never mind, they could learn from the IRA... Put bombs @ dust binOriginally posted by _Aaron_:I know why they do it, but it still doesn't seem quite logical to me. This whole terrorist thing. Hmm, maybe IÂ’ll start a new topic
Anyway
It is funny abt FI's comments abt 1/2... Ppl below 18 who help their parents @ provision shops cannot sell tobacco but can sell alcohol
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I think it will be passed.Originally posted by _Aaron_:It'll be really strange to have coffeeshop ban smoking.
I mean, that's one of the areas smokers go and congregate! I can't imagine the businesses of the coffeeshop if the ban really comes around...
Non-smokers are affected, but what can we do? So many people in SIngapore smoke. Curse that guy who discovered tobacco! (Columbus wasn't it?)
I hardly think it will be passed.
Look how strict Singapore is and our clean and green motto?! with our no chewing gum rule! No smoking goes along with it.
The only places whereby pple are allowed to smoke are:
1) Pubs, Discos, bars, lounges, ktvs
2) Hawker Centre, Coffee Shop
I believe 1) will be banned while open places like 2) should be fine as there is wind to blow the smoke away. -
Another 1/2 1/2 rule... What's wrong w kids selling cig under adults supervision?Originally posted by sbst275:Anyway
It is funny abt FI's comments abt 1/2... Ppl below 18 who help their parents @ provision shops cannot sell tobacco but can sell alcohol -
The main reason why chewing gum was banned was because of the growing number of inconsiderate idiots dumping them on MRT doors, buses, and car windscreens.Originally posted by :I think it will be passed.
Look how strict Singapore is and our clean and green motto?! with our no chewing gum rule! No smoking goes along with it.
The only places whereby pple are allowed to smoke are:
1) Pubs, Discos, bars, lounges, ktvs
2) Hawker Centre, Coffee Shop
I believe 1) will be banned while open places like 2) should be fine as there is wind to blow the smoke away.
This smoking thing though, hmm, i just don't think its possible.
The government makes the most money from cigarettes, taxes and all, and banning smoking in Shopping malls, bus interchanges are already proving uneffective.
Everytime i travel down the stairs, or get out of the lift and someone open the door to the stairs, i see gangs of bengs and lians smoking. The smell of it is awful, and isn't it supposed to be banned?
People do smoke at bus interchanges anyway, just a few steps outside of the queue.
If this bill gets passed, what will happen next? No smoking on orchard road? No smoking at home? Since your children are passive smokers as well.
Where else then, can they smoke?
P.S -> I'm not a smoker, but i'm enjoying this debate. Flexes mind muscles -
smoke ho e si
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They should start drawing yellow boxes everywhere. -
invent a cig where the smokers breathe in their own 2nd hand smoke...triple the effect...½ the pain (to rip dat is)
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Total ban of tobacco.. juz days ago in the papers some guy is dying from terminal small cell lung cancer bcoz he was exposed to yrs of 2nd hand smoke..