Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Negotiations

Dr Janil Puthucheary asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether Singapore's tobacco control measures could be at risk as a result of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations, given the challenge that the Australian government is facing on its tobacco regulation.

The Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Lim Hng Kiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member's question refers to new legislation passed by the Australian Parliament in November 2011 to enforce plain packaging requirements for tobacco products. This means that corporate logos and any brand imagery will not be allowed to appear on the packaging of tobacco products such as cigarette packs.

Singapore's current tobacco control measures do not contain such plain packaging requirements. Parliament may recall that the Smoking (Control of Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco) Act was amended in July 2010 to include a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and the prohibition of misleading labels such as smile or light which may imply that the product is less harmful. These tobacco control measures were enacted to protect public health and are in line with World Health Organization standards. As with all Government policies, these measures have been implemented with full consideration of our international obligations.

Australia is the first country in the world to introduce such plain packaging requirements which have been challenged by tobacco firms on grounds of trademark rights infringement. Singapore, together with several other countries, is watching this development closely. Negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are currently ongoing. As with all FTA negotiations, MTI will continue to consult closely with all relevant agencies to ensure that Singapore's interests, including the protection of public health, are secure.

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Dr Janil Puthucheary (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have three supplementary questions. Could the Minister please comment on the extent to which tobacco features in the negotiations of the TPP? Is there a possibility to exclude tobacco from these negotiations? And is there an anticipation of an effect on the price or availability of tobacco products in Singapore as a result of these negotiations?

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Sir, currently, tobacco does not feature significantly in the TPP negotiations. As with many of the FTAs with the high levels of ambition, one with as complete a coverage of products as possible, it is unlikely that tobacco will be excluded. And we do not expect that there will be significant price impact on Singapore.