From The Straits Times – Asia News Network
Singapore’s shopping paradise, Orchard Road is now smoke-free. A smoking ban kicked in on January 1 which prohibits smokers from lighting up in public areas. However there are designated smoking areas along the famous shopping strip.
Enforcement officers from the National Environment Agency, dressed in white No Smoking Zone polo T-shirts, are on patrol in the shopping district on the second day of the new year, nabbing smokers.
Smokers were given verbal warnings and directed to the DSAs.
Some might suggest that these open-air Designate Smoking Areas are almost useless
More than 40 DSAs are available within the Orchard Road no smoking zone. During the initial three-month advisory period, officers will engage smokers and advise them to indulge in their habit within the DSAs. From April, enforcement action will be taken against all offenders.
Signs have been placed on bins and some lamp posts within the zone. Advertisements have also been put up at selected MRT stations and bus stops.
Bins with ashtrays have been replaced with those without ashtrays, and directional signage guiding smokers to the nearest DSAs have also been put up at the hotel’s side entrances.
Similarly, Royal Plaza on Scotts has put up a sign at the hotel’s entrance to inform guests of the no smoking zone and the nearest DSAs.
Other Asian tourist spots are looking at the Orchard Road smoking ban experiment to monitor reaction.
SOURCE: The Straits Times
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