Ban of Smoking at Open Windows of Residential Properties
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns a proposal by Mr Gan Thiam Poh to ban smoking at residential open windows and mandate closed smoking rooms to prevent exposure to second-hand smoke. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that while common areas were made smoke-free in 2013, the government’s jurisdiction does not extend into private residential properties. He clarified that there are no plans to mandate residential smoking rooms and emphasized that smokers should instead be socially responsible and considerate of neighbours. The Minister advised residents affected by wafting smoke to reach out to their neighbours to resolve issues amicably. Finally, he noted that residents who cannot resolve these disputes independently may approach the Community Mediation Centre for assistance.
Transcript
36 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Ministry will (i) consider further measures to ban smoking at open windows of residential properties and (ii) review and mandate the provision of closed smoking rooms in residential properties for smokers to smoke so as not to affect non-smoking residents.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: My Ministry's long-term goal is to prohibit smoking in all public areas except at designated smoking areas to protect non-smokers from the harmful health effects of second-hand tobacco smoke.
Over the years, my Ministry has progressively extended the smoking prohibition to more public areas. In 2013, the smoking prohibition was extended to the common areas in residential buildings, including common corridors, covered walkways, lift lobbies and stairwells.
Our regulatory ambit does not extend to prohibiting smoking within one’s own residential property. At the Parliament sitting in August last year, we had informed the Member that smoking within one's residential property, which is a private space, is not prohibited and beyond the Government's jurisdiction. The Government has no plans to mandate the provision of closed smoking rooms in residential properties. In this respect, we encourage smokers to be socially responsible and considerate when smoking so that their neighbours living in close proximity would not be affected by the wafting of second-hand smoke.
Residents who are affected by the wafting of second-hand tobacco smoke from their neighbour's residences should try to reach out to them to resolve the issues amicably. Residents can also approach the Community Mediation Centre for assistance.