Singapore proposing ban on menthol cigarettes

Singapore’s health authorities are proposing to ban menthol and other flavored cigarettes, to require cigarettes to be sold in standardized packs, and to raise the minimum tobacco smoking age from 18 to 21, according to a story in the Straits Times.

The Health Promotion Board (HPB), along with the Health Ministry and the Health Sciences Authority yesterday began a 12-week public consultation on the proposed regulations.

Singapore already imposes a number of restrictions on the tobacco trade and smoking. Advertising is restricted, there is a ban on smoking in public places and, earlier this month, shops were told they would have to stop displaying tobacco products in 2017.

The incidence of smoking in Singapore fell from 18.3 percent in 1992 to 13.3 percent in 2013, and the aim was to cut the smoking incidence to 12 percent by 2020, the HPB was quoted as saying.

The public can give their views on the proposed regulations through HPB’s website until March 29.