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Ban on display of tobacco products to take effect in 2017

SINGAPORE — From 2017, shops will have to keep all tobacco products out of sight of customers, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) today (Dec 9).

Photo: Ernest Chua/TODAY

Photo: Ernest Chua/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — From 2017, shops will have to keep all tobacco products out of sight of customers, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) today (Dec 9).

Retailers must either install features that cover up their existing cigarette storage units or keep these products somewhere else so that they are not visible to the public, such as under the counter or in a separate room.

To ensure the features covering up the storage units are not left open accidentally, they must be “self-closing”. Examples include gravity flaps, vertical blinds, curtains or automated swing/sliding doors.

The move was floated in 2013, and is aimed at deterring youths from picking up the habit and helping smokers kick the habit. Last year, the MOH said it will push through the ban.

Laws to effect the ban are expected to be amended by the middle of next year and retailers will be given 12 months to comply.

The announcement was made today after the MOH held a dialogue session with tobacco retailers at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to explain details of the new requirement. 

About 50 trade associations attended the session, where Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor was present.

Dr Khor said: “Studies have shown that (displaying tobacco products) has very strong promotional effects. It can influence non-smokers to buy it on impulse and try smoking, and of course ... where smokers are trying to quit smoking, when they see the display, (they) may then buy (on impulse) and start smoking again. So this is what we want to try and prevent.”

Dr Khor, who is also Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources, said that while the prevalence of smoking in Singapore has improved over the years — from 18.3 per cent in 1992 to 13.3 per cent in 2013 — the smoking rates among young men are still high, while the smoking rates of young women are creeping up.

Addressing concerns and suggestions on the impending ban that have been thrown up by these businesses, the MOH will reverse an existing ban on tobacco-product price lists, which has been deemed as advertising.

To facilitate the sales transactions of tobacco products, price lists will be allowed, but must only be shown to customers who request for them. The price list cannot have images of tobacco products or packaging. It can be in text only, listing relevant information such as the brands, variants and prices. 

This must be printed on plain, white paper no larger than A4-sized and the font cannot be bigger than 5mm, in bold, underlined or highlighted.

Tobacco retailers interviewed said the ban will bring some inconvenience but are generally unfazed by any impact on their takings.

Mr Travis Lin, owner of Valle Bar Cafe at Ridgewood Condominium, said allowing retailers to have price lists when the ban takes effect will smoothen the sales transactions.

He added: “It will definitely be good for smokers to kick the habit. But smokers are, after all, smokers; they already know the product.”

Mr Tay Ah Geck, 57, who runs a drinks stall at Alexandra Village Food Centre, said he is not bothered by the ban as his revenue mostly comes from selling beverages. 

He only profits “30 to 40 cents per packet, or if I’m lucky, 50 cents” from selling cigarettes.

Mr Nicholas Lim, 19, a smoker, said the ban on the display of tobacco products will not make a difference to smokers. “Even the picture on the packaging doesn’t affect me anymore. I used to be scared, but now I’m indifferent to all these (measures) to prevent me from smoking,” he added.

But Ms Joey Lee, a mother of two girls aged 10 and 12, said she supports the ban if it can deter some youths who may be tempted to take a puff.

The 38-year-old added: “I can see the rising trend. Some of the smokers I see along the streets seem like they are younger than 18.”

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