SINGAPORE: Lighting up will soon get tougher in Singapore, with the government planning to roll out 300 high definition thermal cameras to catch and fine illegal smokers, reports AFP.

The city-state already has some of the world's strictest anti-tobacco laws and smoking is banned in most public places, with errant puffers handed a fine of up to Sg$1,000 ($740) if caught. E-cigarettes are also banned outright.

Authorities are now looking to roll out sophisticated thermal cameras that can detect when a person is holding a lit cigarette in a non-smoking area, according to a Monday report by the Straits Times.

Singapore first introduced anti-tobacco laws in the 1970s as part of a national effort to reduce smoking.