Quit Smoking Painlessly Now!

Singapore is extending the smoking ban to even more places with effect from 15 January 2013. The extension covers common areas of residential buildings such as common corridors, staircases, stairwells and void decks as well as multi-purpose halls, covered walkways and linkways, all pedestrian overhead bridges, within 5 metres of bus shelters and hospital outdoor compounds. S

Why is Singapore so passionate in extending smoking ban?
One strong reason is there is absolutely no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and its harmful effects (such as heart disease, respiratory illness and lung and other cancers) on human. Plus, most adults in Singapore are non-smokers.

Where can smokers smoke in Singapore?

• Approved smoking rooms at entertainment outlets
• Approved smoking corners at outdoor refreshment areas of food establishments
  Beaches
• Open public spaces (e.g. Marina Promenade)
• Open space in residential estates
• Open space in town centres
• Parks and Park Connectors, excluding Nature Reserves
• Private vehicles (e.g. car), excluding private buses
• Residential Homes
• Surface carparks
• Uncovered areas of the top of multi-storey carparks
• Uncovered walkways
• Vacant land

However, specific facilities or buildings located in these areas, e.g. restaurants and 5 metres from entrances to buildings will still fall within a smoking prohibited area. Smoking is also banned in queues formed in any of these areas.

Where smokers cannot smoke in Singapore

Generally all common areas including:

• Linkways from bus stops to residential blocks
• Void decks
• Corridors
• Staircases
• Stairwells
• Multi-purpose halls
• Covered walkways and linkways
• All pedestrian bridges
• 5 metres from the edge of bus stops
• Hospital outdoor compounds

How do you know if these areas are covered under the ban?
Media platforms such as TV, radio, print and outdoor (i.e posters at bus shelters) will be used to highlight the smoking prohibition areas. Where practical, signage will also be put up.

What is the penalty for a smoker caught smoking in a prohibited area?
The person who is caught smoking in a prohibited place is liable on conviction to a fine of $200. If convicted in court, the offender may be liable to a fine of up to $1,000.

With so few places to light up, and so costly to get a pack of cigarette, perhaps it is a good time to stop smoking and start quitting.

Additional Reading on Quit Smoking : Deluxe Quit Smoking Hypnotherapy Solution