It’s no secret that smoking at non-smoking zones in Singapore is a huge offence. But, what if you get caught smoking in a non-smoking zone in Singapore while also being underage?
Well, maybe a random stranger might help you by eating your cigarette.
According to a report by CNA, a 53-year-old Singaporean man was fined SGD1,000 (RM3,412.52) after he had helped a teenager avoid legal action, for smoking in a non-smoking zone, by eating his cigarette in front of the National Environment Agency (NEA) enforcement officers.
This image is for illustration purposes only.
How did this happen?
This all started when the teenager had come out to the void deck of a residential building, where a no-smoking sign can be seen, to smoke.
The 53-year-old man was also at the void deck, having a beer by himself.
By chance, 2 NEA officers arrived at the void deck to perform checks and caught the teenager smoking.
This image is for illustration purposes only.
As the officers were asking the teenager for his details, the man walked up to the teenager, asked him for the cigarette, ATE IT and told the teenager to flee, which he did.
It is uncertain as to whether the cigarette was lit or not.
While in court, the man said that he ‘didn’t know it’s an offence to eat cigarettes‘ in Singapore and that he did what he did to help the teenager avoid a blemished record.
“Eating a cigarette, I didn’t know is an offence in Singapore.”
The court ultimately clarified that he wasn’t being fined for eating the cigarette but because he obstructed the NEA officers from carrying out their duties.
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
