New designs of public smoking areas on trial

SINGAPORE — Smokers can light up within a partially boarded-up area at two locations in Orchard Road, as part of a study to examine the effectiveness of different designated smoking area (DSA) designs in reducing smoking activity in the vicinity.

Since late June, screens made of tempered glass have been put up at the DSA at Orchard Towers. Similar panels will also be put up at the DSA at Far East Plaza at a later date, said the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) yesterday in response to TODAY’s queries.

As part of efforts to encourage smokers to be socially responsible, there are currently five public DSAs in Orchard — situated at Somerset MRT station, Cuppage Terrace, Far East Plaza, Orchard Towers and The Heeren.

An MEWR spokesperson said there are no plans yet to install the screens at the other three DSAs.

“The setting up of the additional structures at two of the DSAs is a part of this study to assess the effectiveness of different DSA configurations and designs,” said the spokesperson.

The two sites were also chosen as they have a “higher concentration of smokers” among the five public DSAs.

“In particular, the DSA at Far East Plaza is specially sited to allow the smokers to smoke at a location that is away from the nearby bus stop and food and beverage outlets, (while) the installation of screens will further reduce the spill-over effect of second-hand smoke around the DSA,” said the MEWR spokesperson.

Under the new regulations, announced by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in June, Orchard Road will become a smoke-free area from July 1, and smoking will be permitted only at designated zones within Singapore’s premier shopping belt.

An “advisory approach” will be taken in the first three months after the no-smoking ban kicks in.

Those caught smoking in public areas will receive only verbal warnings between July 1 and Sept 30, said the NEA.

However, from Oct 1 next year, errant smokers can be fined up to S$1,000. Toh Ee Ming