Ban on cigarette displays and plain packaging in the pipeline to cut down smoking in Singapore

Got a tip? Send it to us at singapore@coconuts.co. In the Government's continual efforts in eradicating smoking from Singapore, the Ministry of Health has announced plans to ban the display of tobacco near the cashiers to decrease impulse purchases and help smokers trying to quit.  Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim announced a couple of new initiatives to reduce smoking, including reducing advertising effect of point of sale displays, especially on youths.  He also addressed emerging tobacco products that are being produced to appeal to the young — like shisha tobacco. "Shisha was the first emerging tobacco product to be banned in November last year, to prevent its proliferation and entrenchment in Singapore," he remarked. "We intend to do the same for other types of emerging tobacco products later this year." The ministry has also looked into plans for plain cigarette packaging such as those practiced in Australia, which requires tobacco products to be sold in drab green boxes sans corporate logos and trademarks. Instead, it will come with graphic health warnings and the brand name in standardised typeface. A public consultation on standardised packaging will be conducted towards the end of the year.  Photo: Wikimedia Commons