Smoking-related Complaints
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns smoking-related complaints and enforcement efficacy raised by Mr Liang Eng Hwa. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that complaints rose from 19,000 in 2017 to 25,000 in 2018, while tickets issued increased from 22,000 to 30,000. Since January 2019, 90 thermal camera deployments have captured smoking incidences in 70% of cases to assist NEA investigations in residential areas. These cameras identify heat-emitting objects at prohibited locations like lift lobbies to provide evidence for investigations alongside public feedback. The Minister emphasized that enforcement aims to reinforce social norms and encourage smokers to quit for the benefit of community health.
Transcript
59 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what is the total number of smoking related complaints received in each of the past two years; (b) of these, how many were caught smoking in prohibited areas; and (c) how effective have thermal cameras been in enforcing smoking restrictions in prohibited areas.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The National Environment Agency (NEA) received about 19,000 and 25,000 instances of feedback related to smoking in 2017 and 2018 respectively. In 2018, more than 30,000 tickets were issued by NEA for smoking in prohibited places, up from more than 22,000 tickets in 2017.
NEA has made about 90 thermal camera deployments in residential areas with persistent feedback on smoking issues since January 2019. The thermal cameras complement NEA's surveillance in smoking-prohibited places to detect unlawful smoking at common corridors, lift lobbies or staircase landings. These thermal cameras are able to detect objects emitting high heat and capture images of the smoking offence.
NEA uses the images captured by the thermal cameras along with other forms of evidence such as public feedback, for investigations. Thus far, about 70% of the deployments have captured smoking incidences, and NEA is investigating these cases. NEA will take enforcement action against smoking offenders whose identities have been established.
I urge smokers to be mindful of the health of others, and not light up in smoking-prohibited places. Families and friends of smokers, as well as the general public, can help reinforce the right social norms through reminders. Ultimately, we want to help smokers kick the habit for the benefit of their own health, their loved ones, and the community.