No smoking in public spaces along Orchard Road area from July 1 next year

Smoking will be prohibited in all public spaces in the Orchard Road area — from Tanglin to Dhoby Ghaut — from July 1 next year, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday (June 30).

The existing 16 smoking corners, which exist within food retail establishments in the area, will be removed by June 30 next year. That means smoking will be permitted only at designated smoking areas within the Orchard Road smoke-free precinct, which is bordered by Tanglin Road to the west, Dhoby Ghaut MRT station to the east, and Goodwood Park Hotel to the north.

There are currently five Government-owned designated smoking areas, which are part of an ongoing study led by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

The NEA also announced on Friday that it will no longer accept applications for smoking corners in all food retail establishments islandwide. Existing smoking corners will be allowed to remain, unless the current licence is terminated or cancelled.

For Orchard Road, an “advisory approach” will be taken in the first three months after the no smoking ban kicks in, said the NEA. Those caught smoking in public areas will receive only verbal warnings between July 1 and Sept 30.

Enforcement action — a fine of up to S$1,0000 — will be  taken against errant smokers in the zone from Oct 1 next year.

Building owners within the smoke-free zone in Orchard Road, however, have the option of building their own designated smoking areas, which must meet certain guidelines, like not being situated beside main thoroughfares, and come with cigarette butt canisters or litter bins with ash trays, and display smoking cessation messages.