Smoking in Singapore was first banned in selected areas in October 1970,[1] and the law has gradually added to the number of areas that must be smoke-free, now including bus interchanges and shelters, public toilets, public swimming complexes, hawker centres, coffeeshops and entertainment outlets.[1]
On 1 July 2007, the ban was extended to entertainment nightspots, including pubs, bars, lounges, dance clubs, and night clubs.[2] The owner of the premises is legally responsible for the non-smoking of the customers.[2] The law allows for the construction of designated smoking rooms which can take up to 10% of the total indoor space, or outdoor smoking areas that do not exceed 20% of the outdoor refreshment area.[2]
On 1 January 2009, the ban was extended to all children's playgrounds, exercise areas, markets, underground and multi-storey carparks, ferry terminals and jetties. It was also extended to non-air conditioned areas in offices, factories, shops, shopping complexes and lift lobbies,[3] and within 5 meters of entrances and exits.[4]
On 22 November 2010, netizens of Singapore supported the Towards Tobacco-Free Singapore online campaign. The campaign promotes a proposal (which was published in the British Medical Journal, Tobacco Control) to prevent the supply of tobacco to Singaporeans born from the year 2000 which would result in a gradual phasing-out of tobacco in Singapore. The launch was put forward by a team consisting of a lung cancer surgeon, medical officers, a university professor and a civil servant.[5]
Smokers found flouting the rules are fined a minimum S$200 Singapore dollars[6] up to a maximum of S$1000 if convicted in court,[6] while the managers of the establishments are fined S$200 for a first offence, and S$500 for a subsequent offence.[2] Singapore is famous for being clean, with enforced penalties for littering.[7]
Staff working for certain government sectors are not allowed to smoke while carrying out their duties,[8] such the National Recycling Programme.
Cigarette butt littering is one of the greatest high-rise littering problems.[9]
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