The Straits Times, section A8
Date:13/12/2008
Title: Smokers edged out of more places
Overview: The short list of public places still open to smokers will shrink even further next month when a nationwide smoking ban is extended to hotel lobbies and carparks, among other areas. The move is aimed at promoting “protecting the public from second-hand smoke”, said Mr Khoo Seow Poh, director-general of public health with the National Environmental Agency. Singapore is among the close to 150 countries that have signed the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. In Singapore, smoking is already banned in all nightspots, hawker centres, restaurants and community clubs, among other places. Any smoker who ignores the ban can be fined up to a maximum of $1000. Ahead of the ban, hotels and building owners here already got a head start on going smoke-free. Most hotels here have already banned smoking in their lobbies. Suntec City and the 26-storey Carlton Hotel have moved smoking bins or designated smoking areas further away from their doors.
Reflections: It is good news hearing that more public places has been banned from smoking. This will decrease the chance of passer-bys breathing in second-hand smoke which is believed to be more toxic then first-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke Is smoke which is exhaled by the smokers when they smoke. Statistics have shown that the amount poisonous substances present in second-hand smoke is higher compared to first-hand smoke. With the numbers of places which do not ban smoking dropping, smokers now find it quite difficult to find places to smoke. Smokers who ignore the ban can be fined a maximum of $1000. I hope that more public places can be banned from smoking, making more smokers discouraged from smoking and even quit smoking. We all should work together in building a smoke-free Singapore and bring the smoking rates of Singapore further down.
By: Jia Hao =)
Date:13/12/2008
Title: Smokers edged out of more places
Overview: The short list of public places still open to smokers will shrink even further next month when a nationwide smoking ban is extended to hotel lobbies and carparks, among other areas. The move is aimed at promoting “protecting the public from second-hand smoke”, said Mr Khoo Seow Poh, director-general of public health with the National Environmental Agency. Singapore is among the close to 150 countries that have signed the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. In Singapore, smoking is already banned in all nightspots, hawker centres, restaurants and community clubs, among other places. Any smoker who ignores the ban can be fined up to a maximum of $1000. Ahead of the ban, hotels and building owners here already got a head start on going smoke-free. Most hotels here have already banned smoking in their lobbies. Suntec City and the 26-storey Carlton Hotel have moved smoking bins or designated smoking areas further away from their doors.
Reflections: It is good news hearing that more public places has been banned from smoking. This will decrease the chance of passer-bys breathing in second-hand smoke which is believed to be more toxic then first-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke Is smoke which is exhaled by the smokers when they smoke. Statistics have shown that the amount poisonous substances present in second-hand smoke is higher compared to first-hand smoke. With the numbers of places which do not ban smoking dropping, smokers now find it quite difficult to find places to smoke. Smokers who ignore the ban can be fined a maximum of $1000. I hope that more public places can be banned from smoking, making more smokers discouraged from smoking and even quit smoking. We all should work together in building a smoke-free Singapore and bring the smoking rates of Singapore further down.
By: Jia Hao =)
1 comment:
Someone ever asked me why we do not just ban the sale of cigarettes in Singapore. What do you think will be the consequences?
Ms Tang
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