No smoking in more public areas from 15 January

Smoking will be banned in more public areas, when changes to the law kick in on January 15 to better protect the public from second-hand smoke. 

This means smokers can't light up at the common areas of all residential buildings, covered linkways and walkways, overhead pedestrian bridges, outdoor compounds of hospitals, as well as within a 5-metre radius of bus shelters. 

The National Environment Agency (NEA) will give the public time to get used to the changes. 

Those caught smoking in the new areas in the first three months will be let off with a warning. 

However, those who keep flouting the law even though they had been warned can be fined up to $1,000. 

NEA has been working with stakeholders to put up signage at places such as staircase landings and lift lobbies. 

Educational posters will be put up at bus stops. 

Bins with ashtrays will be shifted or replaced with bins without ashtrays, and will be moved five metres away.