From 1 July 2006, smoking is prohibited in non air-conditioned foodshops e.g. coffeeshops, cafes, canteens, restaurants, etc. and hawker centres. Smoking is already prohibited in air-conditioned foodshops since 1989. Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the premises, including any outdoor refreshment area (ORA), except at smoking corners.
Since 30 June 2017, NEA has stopped accepting applications for new smoking corners in food retail establishments island-wide. Existing smoking corners that had already been approved are allowed to remain until the current licences of the food retail establishments are terminated. No new smoking corners would be approved for subsequent licenses of the same premises.