Public Consultation Paper on Potential Tobacco Control Policies

The Health Promotion Board (Substance Abuse Department)

Consultation Period: 29 Dec 2015 - 29 Mar 2016

Status: Closed

Aim

1. The Health Promotion Board, together with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), is holding a public consultation to seek views from the public on a suite of potential tobacco control measures that Singapore could potentially introduce to more effectively discourage Singaporeans from picking up smoking, and encourage smokers to kick the habit.

Background

2. Singapore adopts a multi-pronged approach to drive down its smoking prevalence. This includes a wide range of strategies such as legislation, which includes restrictions on tobacco advertising and smoking prohibitions in public places, public education, the provision of smoking cessation services and taxation.

3. As a result of such comprehensive tobacco control measures, Singapore’s smoking rate has been steadily decreasing, from 18.3% in 1992 to 13.3% in 2013. While this is one of the lowest smoking rates in the world, Singapore aims to reduce its smoking prevalence rate even further to 12% by 2020.

4. To achieve this, Singapore continuously explores other tobacco control measures which can be implemented in our context. MOH, HPB and HSA would like to seek the public’s views on the following measures that are being studied for potential implementation in Singapore:
   i.Reducing the appeal of tobacco product through standardised packaging
   ii. Enhancing graphic health warnings
   iii. Restricting the sale of flavoured tobacco products
   iv. Increasing minimum legal age for the purchase, possession and use of tobacco in Singapore, from 18 to 21 years old

5. Interested parties can view the 

   public consultation paper at HPB website

    and submit the feedback to HPB by 29 March 2016, 1700hrs.