Smokers who Drop Cigarette Butts and Ash from Their Flats

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources what measures can be taken to prevent smokers who drop cigarette ashes and dispose used cigarette butts from their flats to their neighbours' units resulting in potential fire hazards and health concerns.

The indiscriminate disposal of cigarette butts from one’s residential unit is an anti-social act which also poses a potential fire hazard if the cigarette butt is still lit when it is dropped.

When such feedback is received, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will first work with the respective Town Councils and grassroots organisations to conduct outreach efforts to residents to advise them against carrying out such inconsiderate acts. NEA will deploy surveillance cameras if the situation does not improve, and enforcement action will be taken against any persons caught littering.

My Ministry encourages all smokers to play their part by practising social graciousness and disposing of their cigarette butts and ashes in a responsible manner, so that everyone can enjoy a clean and safe environment.