Emerging tobacco products ban begins

A ban on so-called emerging tobacco products will be phased in beginning on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health on Monday.

The ministry said the ban is being adopted to ensure that such products - those that are relatively new or unusual - do not gain a foothold or become entrenched in the Singapore market, which could stimulate demand for and increase the prevalence of tobacco consumption.

"This is part of the (Health Ministry's) ongoing efforts to protect the public against the known and potential harms of emerging tobacco products," it said.

Earlier in June, the ministry announced that the ban on emerging tobacco products would be implemented in two phases.

The first phase of the ban targets emerging tobacco products, including smokeless cigars, smokeless cigarillos and smokeless cigarettes; dissolvable tobacco or nicotine; any product containing nicotine or tobacco that may be used topically for application, by implant or injection into any parts of the body; and any solution or substance of which tobacco or nicotine is a constituent that is intended to be used with an electronic nicotine delivery system or a vaporizer.

The second phase of the ban, which takes aim at emerging tobacco products already in the local market, will take effect in August.

The ban includes nasal snuff, oral snuff, gutkha, khaini and zarda.

The Health Ministry said any person who breaks the ban will be subject to a fine not exceeding $7,100 or imprisonment for a term of up to six months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent offense and conviction, offenders will be subject to a fine not exceeding $14,200 or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 12 months, or both.

(China Daily 12/15/2015 page11)