SINGAPORE ENHANCES TOBACCO CONTROL EFFORTS WITH BAN ON EMERGING TOBACCO PRODUCTS

  The Ministry of Health (MOH) is banning emerging tobacco products as a pre-emptive measure to protect public health against the known and potential harms of such products. This will be done via the Prohibited Tobacco Products Regulations made under Section 15 of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.

2    The ban will be implemented in two phases.

First phase (with effect from 15 December 2015) – ban on the following emerging tobacco products, which are currently not available in Singapore:

• Smokeless cigars, smokeless cigarillos or smokeless cigarettes

• Dissolvable tobacco or nicotine[1]

• Any product containing nicotine or tobacco that may be used topically for application, by implant or injected into any parts of the body[2]

• Any solution or substance, of which tobacco or nicotine is a constituent, that is intended to be used with an electronic nicotine delivery system or a vaporiser (what are commonly referred to as e-cigarettes).

3    Second phase (with effect from 1 August 2016) – ban on emerging tobacco products existing in the local market. This is to allow for businesses to adjust their operating models and deplete their existing stocks of such products. These products include:

• Nasal snuff

• Oral snuff

• Gutkha, khaini and zarda

4    The ban is part of the ongoing enhancements to existing tobacco control efforts in Singapore. Besides protecting the public from the health risks associated with the consumption of emerging tobacco products, the ban is aimed at ensuring that the targeted emerging tobacco products do not gain a foothold or become entrenched in the Singapore market. The ban will prevent these products from stimulating demand for and thereby increasing the prevalence of tobacco consumption. It will also prevent such products from becoming “gateway” or “starter” products for non-smokers.

[1] Note: The ban excludes any tobacco-containing product, tobacco derivate, or medicinal product registered under the Medicines Act.

[2] Note: The ban excludes any tobacco-containing product, tobacco derivate, or medicinal product registered under the Medicines Act.

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