Smokers in Singapore may soon have fewer public places to light up, and could even be prohibited from smoking while walking.
According to Today, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) is exploring an extension of the smoking ban to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke on non-smokers.
Ms. Lee Bee Wah, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for National Development and the Environment, has declared that she hopes the smoking ban will extend to parks, corridors of Housing Development Board flats and pathways to bus stops.
The ban, if put into effect, could severely curtail smokers' freedom to puff, even while they're walking or congregating in public areas.
Smoking in Singapore is currently banned in many indoor locations and outdoor places such as bus stops, playgrounds, exercise areas and factories and offices.
The most recent figures from the National Health Survey indicate an increase in Singaporeans smoking cigarettes. Just over 14 percent of adults are now smokers compared with 12.6 percent in 2004. Smoking amongst young Singaporeans aged 18 to 29 has jumped to 16.3 percent from 12.3 percent in 2004.
Currently, smokers caught flouting the rules can be fined a minimum S$200 to a maximum of S$1,000.
Smokers aren't the only ones to come under fire. Managers of establishments where offending smokers are found can be fined S$200 for a first offence, and S$500 for a subsequent offence.
Source: cnngo.com
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