Singapore: Tobacco sales age raised to 21

On January 1, 2021, the minimum legal age for purchase, consumption, possession, sale and delivery of tobacco products is spent 20 to 21 years in Singapore [1]The change follows a November 2017 law that raised the minimum age from 18 to 21 over three years as part of the government's plans to reduce smoking.

Signage warning that tobacco sales to under-21s are not permitted has been distributed to retailers to be displayed at their outlets. Tobacco retailers who sell a tobacco product to a person under 21 are liable to a fine of up to S$5,000 (about €3,800) for a first offence and S$10,000 (€7,600) for a repeat offence, the Health Ministry warned. However, if a retailer is caught selling tobacco products to minors in school uniform or children under 12, their licence will be revoked on the first offence.

The measure aims to limit youth access to tobacco products and "denormalize" smoking, according to the Ministry of Health. Other efforts by the government, in collaboration with the Health Promotion Council and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), include prevention programs, tax increases, smoking cessation programs, bans on tobacco advertising at points of sale, bans on point-of-sale displays and the introduction of plain packaging.

Singapore, an example to follow for tobacco control in Southeast Asia

Singapore, which has strict regulations in place in line with WHO Framework Convention (FCTC) has the most comprehensive tobacco control policy in the region. Singapore is particularly active in implementing one of the provisions of FCTC Article 12 on anti-smoking media campaigns.[2].

With one of the lowest adult smoking prevalence rates (10.6% in 2019), Singapore is arguably the leader in tobacco control efforts in Southeast Asia. Its experience is a benchmark for other countries in the region. The city-state is characterized by strong political will in this area. As early as 1971, the country adopted the first measures relating to the elimination of tobacco advertising and promotion. Even today, with one of the lowest smoking prevalence rates in the world, it continues its efforts with the aim of a tobacco-free generation by 2035.

In Southeast Asia, with Thailand, the country is characterized by strong legislation on the prohibition of all forms of direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, extended to the introduction of plain packaging. With Cambodia and Thailand, the country also prohibits advertising of corporate social responsibility activities by tobacco companies.[3]. Since then, Singapore has been considered by the tobacco industry as "one of the most hostile environments in the world" in terms of marketing, advertising and promotion.

Keywords: Singapore, Regulations, Smoking

©Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] Ng Keng Gene, Minimum legal age for smoking raised to 21 from Jan 1, The Straits Times, December 30, 2020, accessed January 5, 2021 [2] Amul, Gianna Gayle & Pang, Tikki. (2018). Progress in Tobacco Control in Singapore: Lessons and Challenges in the Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Progress in Tobacco Control in Singapore. Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies. 10.1002/app5.222. [3] Assunta M, Dorotheo EU (2016) SEATCA Tobacco Industry Interference Index: A Tool for Measuring Implementation of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 5.3. Tobacco Control 25(3), 313–318. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2014-051934 National Committee Against Smoking |