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Banning shisha, but not cigarettes, a justified move

While there appears to be an inconsistency in the approach towards shisha and cigarettes, there are justifications for banning shisha, while only imposing taxes on cigarettes. (“Banning shisha but not cigarettes a contradiction”; Nov 11)

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Jerald Soon Shao Wei

While there appears to be an inconsistency in the approach towards shisha and cigarettes, there are justifications for banning shisha, while only imposing taxes on cigarettes. (“Banning shisha but not cigarettes a contradiction”; Nov 11)

From a utilitarian perspective, the harmful effects of shisha are greater. A stricter measure in the form of a ban is therefore justified.

While the countervailing consideration is that consumers should have the liberty to decide what is good for them, one could also argue that the Government is indirectly promoting our liberty by banning a harmful product. For example, one’s life expectancy could be increased by abstaining from vices detrimental to our health. This will allow us to further other pursuits in life.

So why not ban cigarettes, too? Again, one may refer to the concept of liberty: Banning cigarettes would curtail our liberty to a greater extent than banning shisha, as about 15 per cent of the population smoke cigarettes regularly.

Banning cigarettes would affect a larger portion of the population. In light of a potential backlash from the banning of cigarettes, the Government has opted for the less drastic measure of imposing taxes.

Further, the tax money can be directed towards raising awareness of the ill effects of smoking cigarettes. Smokers can make their own informed decision to quit smoking. For example, the Health Promotion Board’s “I Quit” campaign is said to have reversed a five-year upward trend in smoking. Banning shisha, but not cigarettes, is arguably justified.

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