Shisha Usage

4 November 2014

Question No. 348

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Chia Shi-Lu
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC

Question:

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the evidence of the harmful effects of shisha; (b) what is the prevalence of shisha use in Singapore; and (c) whether the Ministry will review its policies to strengthen the regulation of shisha use.

Answer

1.       Shisha smoking is no less harmful to health as other forms of tobacco use.  According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a typical session of shisha smoking involves the inhalation of smoke that is equivalent to smoking 100 or more cigarettes. This exposes the shisha smoker to high levels of harmful smoke toxicants including tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine. A research study in the United States found higher levels of such toxicants in shisha smoke compared to cigarette smoke. According to the WHO, the health risks for shisha smokers and exposed by-standers include cancer, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, and adverse effects on unborn babies if exposure occurs during pregnancy. Several studies also found that shisha smoke contains high levels of fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5. This increases the ambient pollutant levels which can adversely impact bystanders.

2.       Due to the sweet smelling smoke and passing of the smoke through water in the apparatus, there are often misconceptions that shisha smoking is less harmful and addictive. A recent WHO report on shisha smoking stated that the misconceptions, together with the social nature of shisha smoking, have contributed to an increase in shisha smoking globally, particularly among young people, which raises further concerns that shisha smoking may serve as a gateway to cigarette smoking.  

3.       Similar trends have been observed locally.  The National Health Survey 2010 showed that 7.8% of young adults aged 18-29 years smoke shisha at least occasionally, compared to 1% among older adults. The Student Health Survey found that the proportion of students who used alternative tobacco products, including shisha, had increased from 2% in 2009 to 9% in 2012. In another study conducted by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), 3 in 5 (61.1%) shisha smokers wrongly believed that smoking shisha was less harmful than cigarettes.

4.       My Ministry has reviewed the regulatory framework for shisha over the past year, with a view to strengthening the control of shisha. In view of the health risks associated with shisha smoking and to prevent the proliferation and entrenchment of shisha smoking in Singapore, my Ministry intends to prohibit the import, distribution and sale of shisha.

5.       The ban will be effected later this month, via the publication of the new Prohibited Tobacco Products Regulations made under Section 15 of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. However, as a transitional measure, existing licensed tobacco importers and retailers who import or sell shisha tobacco will be allowed to continue importing and retailing shisha tobacco until 31 July 2016. This allows such importers and retailers ample time to deplete their stock and restructure their businesses away from the shisha business.

6.       My Ministry will also continue to enhance public education efforts on the harms of shisha smoking.