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SINGAPORE: Smoking bans implemented in various areas islandwide have proven to be effective.
Building on this, the authorities intend to phase out smoking corners in outdoor refreshment areas completely.
Public areas like building entrances, playgrounds, and lift lobbies were converted to non-smoking areas early this year and the National Environment Agency has seen a greater compliance to the ban.
The number of warnings and tickets issued dropped from about 4,599 in 2008 to 4,186 in 2009.
Soon, non-airconditioned food centres could also go totally smoke-free.
Currently, 20 per cent of the outdoor refreshment areas is designated for smoking.
But members of coffee shop associations - the Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchant Association and the Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant and Bar-Owners Association - have expressed concern.
Hong Poh Hin, first vice chairman, Foochow Coffee, Restaurant & Bar Merchant Association, said: "If 100 per cent banned on smoking, it will affect our business by about 10 over percent. So some of the operators feel that they should have a small space for smokers to smoke."
The associations want at least 10 per cent of the space set aside for smoking.
Mr Hong added: "90 over percent of the members propose that smoking areas should be retained. We do have a few per cent of members saying that it can be 100 per cent banned. The reason is that it's easier for them to control the place. When smokers know that this is 100 per cent banned, they will not come in."
The NEA said it will discuss the matter with stakeholders before coming to a decision. - CNA/vm
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