Smoking Prohibition at Certain Parks

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources why smoking is currently prohibited only at certain parks and not at all parks.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The Ministry’s long-term vision is to prohibit smoking at all public places except at designated smoking points to protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Smoking is currently prohibited in nature reserves under the Parks and Trees Regulations as it poses fire hazards that can harm the rare and endangered flora and fauna in the nature reserves. There are also some parks which have been designated as smoke-free parks as they are in close proximity to institutions such as hospitals and polytechnics. Smoking is also prohibited in selected areas of other parks, such as covered spaces, buildings like shelters and toilets, playgrounds and fitness corners. The National Parks Board works with the Health Promotion Board and its volunteers under the Blue Ribbon project on outreach efforts to discourage smoking in all parks. The Ministry is also considering enhanced smoking prohibition in other premises such as Institutes of Higher Learning.