Debated in Parliament on 7 Jul 2014.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources since the extension of the smoking ban with effect from 15 January 2013 (a) how many offenders have been booked; (b) what is the frequency of patrols at the non-smoking areas;
Page: 134
(c) whether the Ministry receives many reports from residents to alert their officers of smoking offences at HDB blocks; and (d) whether there will be any new campaigns to educate residents on the smoking ban.
From 15 April 2013 to 31 May 2014, after the three-month advisory period, NEA has booked a total of 15,230 offenders for smoking offences, of which 9,228 were for smoking in the new smoking-prohibited areas at common areas in residential areas, sheltered walkways/linkways, overhead bridges, hospital outdoor compounds and 5-m buffers around bus shelters. NEA's enforcement teams patrol more than 90 hotspots, such as covered linkways close to transport nodes, on a daily basis. Enforcement patrols are also conducted in areas identified through the more than 900 pieces of public feedback received monthly. There were about 5,700 reports from public feedback of smoking offences in common areas of HDB blocks during the same period.
NEA has publicised the smoking ban extension in major newspapers, TV and radio, as well as through social media platforms. Brochures have also been distributed to smokers at selected retail shops. To further extend the outreach efforts, trained volunteers have conducted community patrols to advise smokers in their estates on the smoking prohibition extension.
NEA will continue to ensure compliance with the smoking prohibition in new areas through sustained enforcement and outreach. Changing habits is difficult and we will need the support of the community, schools and non-government organisations to create a conducive environment for everyone and safeguard our public health.
PAPERCUTS