HEALTH WARNING STATEMENTS ON CIGARETTE PACKS (Legislation)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Health, in connection with the proposed National Campaign against smoking next year, if he will consider introducing legislation to make it compulsory for health warning statements to be printed on cigarette packs in order to more effectively discourage Singaporeans from smoking.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: A Morbidity Survey carried out by the Health Ministry in 1977 showed that 23% of the population aged 15 years and above were smokers. Inserting warning statements on the risks of smoking on cigarette packs alone has not been found to reduce the number of smokers in the United States or the United Kingdom. More stringent measures are required to control the smoking habit. They are taxation and prohibition of advertising. At present we already have two Acts, one which prohibits smoking in certain places and the other which prohibits advertising. In addition, periodical TV spots discouraging smoking are broadcast to the public.

My Ministry will liaise with the Trade Division to require the cigarette industry to print a suitable warning on cigarette containers as a supplementary action to the measures that already exist.

We are preparing a National Health Campaign for 1979 to show how lifestyles including smoking can be injurious to a person's health.

Mr Ivan Baptist (Potong Pasir): Mr Speaker, Sir, a supplementary question. What is the Hon. Minister's reaction to a report in the Straits Times on Friday, 9th June, concerning the Singapore Tobacco Company's parent company in Britain, the British American Tobacco, and I quote:

"STC's parent company in Britain, the British American Tobacco (BAT), the world's largest tobacco manufacturer, is producing cigarettes of higher tar content for the developing countries than those under the same brand name sold for domestic consumption." How adversely would this, if true, affect the health of the Singaporean smoker, and what does the Ministry of Health propose to do about it?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, I am not a member of the Consumers' Association, nor do I smoke. I therefore cannot distinguish whether cigarettes have more tar content or less tar content. The answer to the question raised by the Member for Potong Pasir is that it is a very timely piece of news and all cigarette smokers should take heed that we are becoming a dumping ground for poisonous cigarettes.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Sir, does the Ministry of Health have facilities to do tests to determine the level of tar content?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: The Ministry of Health does not have the facilities to determine or assay the contents of cigarettes but we can submit samples to the Department of Scientific Services to do the necessary assay.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Sir, would the Ministry of Health be doing this?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: I do not believe the Member understands English!