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to the Straits Times Forum, 29 Apr 05 NParks to ban smoking in nature reserves I thank Madam Yeo Siong Tor for her feedback in the letter "Don't smoke at Bukit Timah Hill" (The Sunday Times, 10 Apr 05) The flora and fauna within our nature reserves are precious assets that we need to conserve. We share her concern about the hazard that smoking poses to the reserves, along with other items, such as matches and lighters, that could cause forest fires. There are signs at our reserves to inform visitors of the prohibition against the kindling of fires. To further protect our natural heritage, we will ban smoking in the nature reserves. The National Parks Board will be installing signs at the entrances of all reserves to inform visitors of the prohibition and the hazards posed by smoking, lighters and matches, etc. We urge all visitors to work with us to conserve our natural heritage. Wong Tuan Wah Director, Conservation National Parks Board Straits Times, 11 May 05 Smoking banned in nature reserves by Alexis Hooi Cigarette butts are No. 1 cause of bush fires, so risks are being minimised. Cigarette butts thrown by irresponsible smokers were the main cause of the bush fires that raged across the island earlier this year, a threat that has prompted the authorities to ban smoking in Singapore's four nature reserves. A spokesman for the Singapore Civil Defence Force said yesterday that of the 637 bush fires which broke out here during the heatwave between January and March, about 400 were set off by smokers. Not only that, the National Parks Boards (NParks) has found increasing numbers of cigarette butts during recent clean-up operations at the Bukit Timah, Central Catchment, Labrador and Sungei Buloh nature reserves. As a result, smoking will be banned at all four reserves by month-end. For the time being, the ban will not be extended to the public parks, where the risk of fires is lower, but NParks said yesterday it will continue to monitor the situation. "The four nature reserves represent key ecosystems in Singapore, and the flora and fauna within ... are precious assets that we need to conserve," it said in a statement. "The ban is part of efforts to minimise fire risks, especially with the hot and dry weather that is expected in June." An NParks spokesman said penalties for breaking the new ban would be worked out at a later date. Under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act, people caught smoking in banned places can be fined from $200. In the meantime, the authorities will be installing more signs at the reserves' entrances and shelters informing visitors of the new ban and educating them on the fire hazards posed by smoking. The move has won the approval of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Mr Burke Fishburn, Western Pacific regional coordinator for the WHO's Tabacco Free Initiative, said it supported moves "that seek to reduce the public's exposure to tobacco smoke pollution". He added: "Smoke from the smouldering materials can render people in the vicinity unconscious, thus putting them at greater risk of injury and death from the ensuing fires, as well as cause tremendous and costly damage." Already, many countries including Australia, Canada and Portugal are extending their smoking bans to more public places, such as bars, restaurants and clubs. The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan even banned the sale of tobacco outright last year. Smoking in Singapore is now banned in many indoor areas such as air-conditioned buildings, public transportation vehichles and hospitals. From October, smoking will also be outlawed in more open areas like bus shelters and open-air stadiums. The Government is now considering an extension of the ban to include entertainment outlets, coffee shops and hawker centres. links Related articles on Re-creation in our wild places |
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