Exemption from Smoking Prohibition for "Only You" Play

Ms Janice Koh asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what is the reason for the one-time exemption given under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act to Tsai Ming-Liang's play "Only You" and what are the conditions for this exemption; (b) whether similar exemptions will be made for future artistic works that feature smoking scenes if these conditions are met; and (c) what were the reasons given for previous rejections of similar requests made by other arts groups.

Page: 195

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: In November 2011, NAC and the Esplanade put in an appeal for NEA to permit the play "Only You" to be staged in its original form on the basis that the play does not promote the act of smoking, and the use of lit cigarettes in the smoking scenes are essential to the plot and central to the depiction of the characters. The Esplanade assured NEA that they would inform the public through all their publicity materials, at the point of ticket sale and onsite before the audience enters the venue, that smoking is part of the performance so that those sensitive to such smoke can make an informed choice.

This is the first time that NEA has received an appeal from NAC/MDA to exempt an artistic production featuring lit cigarettes from the smoking prohibition. Should there be similar requests in future, NEA will assess the request for exemption only if it is recommended by MDA/NAC and supported by MOH/HPB/HSA.

The exemption does not signal any change in Government policy on curbing smoking in public spaces. NEA will continue to work towards the long-term goal of prohibiting smoking in all public places except in designated smoking areas. Our aim, in collaboration with HPB, is a future where Singaporeans consider smoking not only detrimental to health, but also socially unacceptable.