New Singapore Laws You Need To Obey From 1 Jan 2020
The whole “new year, new me” saying is inspirational and all, but not all new things are great to everyone.
Take these 4 new Singapore laws for example, which take effect on 1 January 2020.
E-scooter or PMD users and smokers in particular should take note, as most of these will affect you guys the most.
1. Minimum smoking age raised to 20
There was a time when we would boast to the world, Americans especially, that the minimum smoking and drinking age in Singapore were only 18.
While the latter remains true, the former has actually been undergoing a continuous change.
If you didn’t know, the government had raised the minimum age to buy, use, own, sell and distribute tobacco products to 19 in 2019.
This lower limit will increase to 20 this year, before finally stopping at 21 in 2021.
The progressive increase is to curb the incidence of underage smoking, which has become a major cause for concern.
Individuals under 20 caught smoking, buying or possessing cigarettes from 1 Jan 2020 may face a fine of up to $300, so if that might be you, you should drop that cigarette now.
2. Jail time for being a fire hazard
As if the laws aren’t harsh enough for smokers, still-burning cigarette butts found disposed irresponsibly may also land you in jail.
Authorities are being stricter towards anyone who doesn’t extinguish and throw flammable items like cigarette butts properly.
You can be a fire hazard as long as a fire happens within 60 minutes or a short distance from where you’ve thrown, placed, dropped or left anything that could start a fire.
This new ruling falls under the Criminal Law Reform Act (CLRA) which Parliament had passed on 6 May 2019.
Offenders face punishments ranging from a fine to imprisonment of up to 7 years, or both, depending on the severity of injuries that resulted.
3. Heavy fine or jail for breaking e-scooter footpath ban
Being a PMD rider in Singapore is difficult now, what with all the restrictions that come with the relatively divisive new rules.
Ever since the e-scooter ban on footpaths, the authorities have been stricter, sparing no chances for offenders.
As soon as the grace period ended on 31 Dec 2019 and the new year began, Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers have been clamping down on errant riders.
From 1 Jan 2020, those guilty of riding their e-scooters on footpaths may face a $2,000 fine and/or 3 months in prison.
4. Harsher punishments for crimes against minors & vulnerable victims
Most significant of the new laws perhaps is the greater protection for vulnerable victims of exploitative crimes.
Starting this year, amendments to the Penal Code will entail harsher punishments for crimes against minors and vulnerable victims.
The changes are as follows:
- Making, distributing (including threats to distribute), possessing, and accessing voyeuristic recordings or intimate images is now a punishable crime.
- Non-consensual exposure of genitals in a physical or virtual space (such as sending intimate photos) is a punishable crime.
- Double punishments for those who exploit vulnerable victims like minors, domestic workers, or family members.
- A range of offenses against minors like sexual grooming and child abuse will also be thoroughly criminalised.
Other punishable crimes such as doxxing and fraud are also on the list, which you can read in further detail here.
Be aware of new Singapore laws
Considering our strict laws, you can be sure that the Singapore government won’t go easy on people who break the above rules.
You wouldn’t want to start the new year on the wrong footing, so take note of these new laws and remember them well.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Featured image adapted from Inside Retail.
