Orchard Road Goes Smoke‑Free in a Big, Bold Move
At the stroke of midnight on Jan 1, the iconic shopping stretch of Orchard Road turned into a no‑smoke zone. The National Environment Agency (NEA) sent officers—sporting crisp white polo shirts emblazoned “No Smoking”—out to patrol the lanes and politely remind everyone that cigarettes belong in the designated smoking areas (DSAs).
First‑Day Hits: Smokers and the Handbook
- Budi Mulyawan, a 38‑year‑old Indonesian tourist, caught a puff near a bin outside Ngee Ann City. He admitted, “I didn’t know about the zone. I just saw a bin, and so I smoked.” The officers explained that he must move to a DSA if he wants to light up.
- Ms. Nur Fafa, 23, was spotted on a bench by Wisma Atria. She’s a retail worker who said, “I get it—health matters—but the nearest DSA feels like a trek to the moon.” She’s now planning to use the time to catch up on the latest fashion runway.
Over 40 DSAs line Orchard Road, and for the first three months the NEA will roll out courteous, verbal warnings. If that doesn’t work, by April they’ll start applying fines for non‑compliance.
Making the Change Stick
The holiday shops are rallying. The Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre and Royal Plaza on Scotts have hung banners, swapped ashtray bins for smoke‑free ones, and handed out handy NEA guidebooklets. Even the local MRT stations and bus stops feature fresh posters reminding walkers of the new no‑smoke rule.
Health Gains: Why Banning Matters
- Dr. Rohit Khurana warns that second‑hand smoke carries carcinogens that can spike asthma flare‑ups, especially for kids and the elderly.
- Prof. Alex R Cook points to evidence from Scotland and the U.S. that bans cut smoking rates by up to 20 % among pregnant women and reduce overall smoking prevalence.
Singapore already sees a rising trend in fines—about 19 k in 2016, more than 28 k in early 2018—so the city’s new policy is set to make shopping a safer, fresher experience for everyone.
