Control over Number and Location of Tobacco Retail Licences Issued

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the number of tobacco retail licences issued in each of the past five years; and (b) what is the control framework for the number and location of licences issued to reduce the prevalence of smoking.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: In the past five years, the number of tobacco retail licences granted is set out in the table below.

Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Licensing) Regulations 2017, tobacco retail licensees must not site their premises in unsuitable locations, including healthcare institutions, pharmacies, educational institutions, childcare centres and computer gaming/video gaming centres.