Man upset after NEA officers confront him over alleged smoking at void deck: 'This guy is talking nonsense'

A man was left frustrated after being confronted by National Environment Agency (NEA) officers for allegedly smoking at a void deck while seeking shelter from the rain.

In a video that was seen on Reddit last month and shared on Instagram on Monday (Aug 24), the man can be heard disputing the claim that he was smoking at a corner of the void deck.

"I am not in the middle of the HDB flat, just at a corner. What do you want me to do... take an umbrella? This guy is talking nonsense," said the man. It wasn't mentioned which HDB estate this was at. 

In the video, at least two NEA enforcement officers can be seen at the scene, with one checking the man's identification card while entering information into a device. 

The man, who appeared frustrated, could also be heard asking the officers to call the police.

Under the comments section, several netizens supported the officers' actions, noting that they were carrying out their duties. 

@asiaone The man pointed to the rain as reason for him smoking in the "corner" of the void deck. #sgnews #singapore #nea ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

"Smokers should be fined if they don't follow the rules," said one user.

Another added: "They (the officers) are just performing their duty as regulations stated."

But others felt the man could have been given a chance to stop smoking before further action was taken.

"Why can't they just warn him and give him an opportunity to put it out and leave?" asked one user. 

Under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act, smoking is prohibited in most indoor areas, including common areas of residential buildings such as corridors, lifts, lobbies, void decks and stairwells.

Those caught smoking in prohibited areas may be issued a $200 fine on the spot or fined up to $1,000 if convicted in court.

[[nid:726313]]

xingying.koh@asiaone.com