Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Assessing Secondhand Smoke in Open Common Areas

Questions:

Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui. To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry's assessments of residents’ exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke include open-to-sky common areas where smoking is permitted; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider additional buffer zones, distance requirements, or other measures to better protect residents, especially those in ground 10 floor and low-level units, from secondhand cigarette smoke exposure from such common areas.

Answer:

My Ministry has not conducted assessments of residents’ exposure to second‑hand tobacco smoke (SHS) arising from smoking at open spaces in residential estates. We recognise that some residents, particularly those living on lower floors, may experience SHS when smokers smoke in open spaces near their homes. We urge smokers to be considerate and refrain from smoking for extended periods in areas where the SHS can affect nearby residents. We will take public feedback into consideration as we continue to review our smoking prohibition policies.