Ageism on the rise

The minimum legal age for the purchase, use, possession, sale and supply of tobacco products in Singapore will be raised from 18 to 19 from tomorrow, according to a Channel NewsAsia story.
This is part of the Government’s plan to raise the minimum legal age (MLA) to 21 over three years. The measure was passed by Parliament in November as part of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) Bill.
With this amendment, the MLA will rise to 20 on January 1, 2020, and to 21 a year later.
‘Raising the MLA is part of the Ministry of Health’s ongoing efforts to enhance public health and reduce smoking prevalence in Singapore,’ the Ministry said in a press note issued on Friday.
‘It aims to prevent youth from picking up smoking by limiting access to tobacco products, and to further de-normalize smoking particularly for those below 21.’
Retailers who sell a tobacco product to a person below the MLA will be liable to a fine of up to S$5,000 for a first offence and S$10,000 for subsequent offences.
In addition, their tobacco retail licenses will be suspended for the first offence and revoked for a subsequent offence.
In addition, individuals caught buying or acquiring tobacco for a person below the MLA will be liable to a fine of up to S$2,500 for a first offence and S$5,000 for subsequent offences.
And those caught giving or furnishing tobacco to a person below the MLA will be liable to a fine of up to S$500 for a first offence and S$1,000 for subsequent offences.
Finally, underage individuals who are caught using, buying or having in their possession tobacco products will be liable to a fine of up to S$300.