Extending Non-smoking Zones in Selective Public Areas in Punggol

Ms Sun Xueling asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether NEA will consider extending the demarcation of non-smoking areas in selective public areas in Punggol that are outside of the list of smoke-free areas covered under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act so as to protect our children from second-hand smoke.

The Government's long-term goal is to prohibit smoking in all public areas to protect non-smokers from the harmful health effects of second-hand smoke.

Since the implementation of the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act in 1970, the smoking prohibition has been progressively extended to more than 32,000 premises and locations including general areas, such as playgrounds, corridors, covered walkways, lift lobbies, stairwells and entrances to buildings. From 1 June 2016, the smoking prohibition was extended, after taking into consideration views from the public, to cover areas, such as neighbourhood parks, within both public and private residential estates which are places likely to be frequented by families and children.

It would not be appropriate for my Ministry to prescribe selective smoking-prohibited areas in specific constituencies outside of the list of areas covered under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act as this may result in confusion or inconsistency over the Government's policy towards smoking prohibition in public places.

Nonetheless, my Ministry will continue to take the public's feedback into consideration as we look into further extending the smoking prohibition under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act.