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Between 2004 and 2007 smoking prevalence in Singapore rose from 18% to 25% among young men, and from 7% to 9% among young women (Photo: The Straits Times) |
SINGAPORE. Singapore has imposed tighter restrictions on the tobacco industry, including a full ban on advertising of tobacco, and advertising of other nicotine products which are currently available abroad but banned in Singapore.
These changes were introduced by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament this week during the debate on changes to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
According to reports by Channel NewsAsia and The Straits Times, the move aims to stem the recent increase in smoking, particularly among young adults. Between 2004 and 2007 smoking prevalence rose from 18% to 25% among young men, and from 7% to 9% among young women.
Besides the ban on advertising, tobacco companies will no longer be allowed to sponsor arts and cultural events. Arts organisations will have until the end of the year end before the change comes into effect.
Banned products now include smokeless forms of tobacco such as oral and nasal snuff, electronic cigarettes, tobacco substitutes such as nicotine water, and fruit and candy-flavoured cigarettes.
Such innovative products are an attempt by the tobacco industry to attract new users and are marketed to appeal to younger customers, including women, Khaw said.
In addition health warning labels will be extended to outer packaging, such as the box that holds individual packages for retail. Labels such as “˜mild’ or “˜light’ to imply the product is less harmful will also be prohibited, the reports said.
Khaw said tobacco manufacturers will be given a grace period of 12 months from the date of the introduction of the ban to effect the necessary changes.
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