PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN RECREATION CENTRES

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: To ask the Minister for the Environment whether his Ministry has been successful in enforcing the prohibition of smoking in cinema halls and lifts and if he will consider extending such prohibition to bowling alleys and other recreation centres.

Mr Speaker: Mr Yeo Choo Kok.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (Paya Lebar): Question No. 5, Sir.

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, very few people are found smoking in cinemas, buses and lifts nowadays. Generally, the people in Singapore have accepted and responded to the ban against smoking in such places.

My Ministry will ban smoking in indoor amusement centres for electronic games, even though they will all be closed down next year. This is necessary as these places are very confined and often crowded with children and young adults and smoking in such places is therefore undesirable.

Bowling alleys, however, are more spacious and less crowded and smoking in such places does not pose a serious threat to public health.