SINGAPORE : The smoking ban will be extended to more areas next year. From 1 January 2009, it will be an offence to smoke in all children's playgrounds, exercise areas and markets.

Entertainment outlets like pubs and bars are already no-smoking areas. And this has led to a significant improvement in the indoor air quality, with an 80 percent reduction in the amount of air-borne particulate matter - which are associated with a higher risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said it has also received positive feedback from pub operators and patrons. So it is extending the smoking ban to more areas, to offer greater protection to non-smokers.

From 1 January next year, smoking will be prohibited at all children's playgrounds, exercise areas, markets, underground and multi-storey carparks, ferry terminals and jetties.

It will also be extended to non-air conditioned areas in offices, factories, shops, shopping complexes and lift lobbies.

There are plans to cover more areas.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Environment and Water Resources Minister, said, "In the meantime, we are consulting the hotel industry on the possible extension of the smoking prohibition to hotel lobbies. We will also be working with building owners to prohibit smoking at the entrances and exits of buildings and facilities, as well as the covered walkways abutting buildings."

Dr Yaacob added that efforts to raise awareness among the young on the ill-effects of smoking have also paid off.

Such efforts include mandatory counselling for recalcitrant under-aged smokers and making available smoking cessation services in all polyclinics and several hospitals.

As a result, there has been a reduction in the proportion of youths aged between 13 and 16 who have tried smoking.

This went down from 26 percent in 2000 to 19 percent in 2006.

The Minister was responding to various MPs who raised questions in Parliament on Friday on the government's plans to create a sustainable environment for the future. - CNA/ms