NO BUTTS about it: Starting next year, smokers will have fewer places to light up.

Come Jan 1, puffing will no longer be allowed in non-air-conditioned workplaces and public areas, including children's playgrounds, markets and multi-storey carparks.

The move, announced yesterday, is a bid to discourage smoking among the young, and to 'offer greater protection to non-smokers', said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.

He was responding to questions from MP Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), who expressed concern that Singaporeans were picking up the habit at a young age.

'Children learn by watching the actions of adults around them,' said Mr Liang.

'The smokers are not just ruining their own health and (that of) others, they are also setting a bad example for young and impressionable children.'

A smoking ban that kicked in at nightspots on July 1 last year has yielded positive results, said Dr Yaacob.

Since then, air quality in bars and night clubs has improved, with an 80 per cent reduction in the amount of air-borne particles that can lead to heart and lung problems.

To further help young smokers kick the habit, polyclinics and some hospitals also provide quit-smoking programmes.

These efforts have reduced the proportion of first-time smokers among 13- to 16-year-olds to 19 per cent in 2006, down from 26 per cent in 2000, he said.

But putting up anti-smoking signs is just half the battle, said Mr Liang. People are still flouting bans and enforcement needs to be stepped up.

'There continues to be many complaints from Singaporeans about having to contend with second-hand smoke,' said Mr Liang.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has some 420 officers dedicated to smoking out rule-breakers of public health laws, including non-smoking bans. They are further supported by about 50 external officers hired by the NEA.

'We will step up enforcement should the need arise,' said Dr Yaacob.

taniat@sph.com.sg

Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources