Singapore has some of the most extensive smoking restrictions in Southeast Asia.
According to Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA), smoking is prohibited in more than 49,000 premises across the city-state, from bus stops and playgrounds to parks and beaches. A person caught smoking in a prohibited place can receive a S$200 composition sum.
The bans began in 1970 with omnibuses, cinemas and theatres, and have expanded steadily ever since.
NEA’s historical timeline shows that hospitals, schools, shopping centres and hawker centres were added over the years, while in July 2022, the rules were extended to all remaining public parks and gardens, ABC Waters sites and 10 recreational beaches.
The rules are actively enforced, more than 16,100 enforcement actions were taken for smoking offences in 2025, including at foodshops and hawker centres.
Public Spaces
Bus Stops and Walkways
Some of the most visible restrictions are found around public transport.
Smoking is prohibited at bus stops, bus shelters and bus poles, including within a five metre radius. Bus interchanges and bus terminuses are also covered. The same applies to covered linkways, pedestrian overhead bridges, and covered or underground walkways.
Smoking is also prohibited within five metres of entrances, exits, ventilation intakes and external openings of certain commercial, industrial and recreational buildings where smoking is prohibited.
Residential Buildings
Singapore’s smoking rules also extend into residential areas. Smoking is prohibited in common areas of residential buildings, including corridors, stairwells, staircase landings, void decks and lift lobbies.
The distinction is between shared spaces and open areas. NEA allows smoking in residential homes and open spaces in residential estates, although individual property managers or owners can impose additional rules.
Parks and Beaches
Singapore’s green spaces are also largely smoke free.
Smoking is prohibited in parks, gardens and nature reserves managed by the National Parks Board, as well as parks in public housing estates managed by Town Councils and parks under the purview of JTC Corporation.
The restrictions also cover reservoirs, ABC Waters sites and 10 recreational beaches. These include Changi, East Coast, West Coast, Sembawang, Pasir Ris, Coney Island, Punggol, Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong beaches.
The wider ban on the remaining public parks, gardens, ABC Waters sites and 10 recreational beaches took effect in July 2022.
Orchard Road
Orchard Road has its own No Smoking Zone. Since January 2019, smoking has been prohibited in public areas throughout the Orchard Road precinct, with an exception for designated smoking areas.
NEA says the zone was expanded along Exeter Road and Killiney Road in February 2024, with a new designated smoking area added to accommodate smokers.
Hawker Centres and Foodshops
Hawker centres and foodshops have been under smoking restrictions since July 2006. Smoking is prohibited at these establishments except in approved smoking corners.
However, the number of these corners has been declining. NEA stopped accepting applications for new smoking corners in June 2017. As of April 2026, fewer than 290 remained, compared with more than 1,000 in June 2017.
The remaining corners will be phased out when the establishments’ licences are terminated or cancelled.
So Where Can You Smoke?
Smoking is still permitted in some places, provided they are not specifically designated as smoke free.
These include residential homes, private vehicles under certain conditions:
- Open spaces in residential estates
- Unsheltered town centre spaces
- Open public spaces
- Surface car parks and uncovered walkways.
Designated smoking areas are also permitted in certain locations. These include some university compounds, camps and buildings occupied by MINDEF personnel, and the Orchard Road No Smoking Zone. In the Orchard Road precinct, smoking is allowed only within designated smoking areas.
Smoking rooms are also permitted at some office premises, Changi Airport and public entertainment outlets. At food retail establishments, existing approved smoking corners can remain, although NEA stopped accepting applications for new smoking corners in June 2017.
For individuals, smoking in a prohibited place carries a S$200 composition sum, while those convicted in court can face a fine of up to S$1,000, according to NEA.
What About Vapes?
The rules are different for cigarettes and e-cigarettes. While Singapore regulates where conventional smoking is allowed, vaping itself is prohibited.
According to Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA), the purchase, possession and use of vaporisers have been prohibited since February 2018. The ban covers e-vaporisers and their related components, meaning there is no designated smoking area where vaping is legally permitted.
Since 1 May 2026, the rules have been consolidated under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act, with the maximum fine for purchasing, using or possessing a vaporiser increased to S$10,000.
HSA also enforces separate restrictions against importing, supplying and selling vaporisers.
