BAN ON SMOKING FOR UNDER-18-YEAR-OLDS (Update on enforcement measures)

Mr Imram bin Mohamed asked the Minister for Health if he will give an update on the measures taken to enforce the ban on smoking for the under-18-year-olds and whether the ban has achieved its purpose.

The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Health): Sir, the ban on smoking by youths below 18 years old was implemented in May 1993. The control measures include:

(i) prohibition of smoking and buying of tobacco products by youths below 18 years old;

(ii) prohibition of sale of tobacco products to youths below 18 years old; and

(iii) mandatory display of notice on the prohibition of sale of tobacco to youths below 18 years at retail outlets.

Sir, inspectors from the Smoking Control Unit of the Ministry of Health carry out daily inspection and surveillance of tobacco retail outlets and popular sites frequented by youths to ensure compliance of the law. Besides the Ministry of Health inspectors, the Police, inspectors from the Ministry of the Environment, Parks and Recreation officers, school principals and teachers are also authorised to enforce the law.

From May 1993 to December 1995, our inspectors have checked 17,097 tobacco retail outlets. In 1993, when the law was first introduced, 23 retailers failed to display appropriate notices. In 1995, only one retailer failed to display the appropriate notice. For the seven months in 1993, eight retailers were caught selling cigarettes to youths. For the whole of 1995, the number was seven.

Since the law was introduced, 3,630 under-aged youths have been caught for smoking offences. The number of first-time offenders fell from 1,012 in 1993 to 724 in 1995. Many offenders and repeat offenders were referred to the Ministry of Health by school authorities. They were counselled to attend the smoking cessation programme specially organised by the Ministry for youths. A total of 619 youths had attended the workshop.

Anti-smoking campaigns and health talks are also organised by the Ministry to educate youths on the harmful effects of smoking. The Ministry's survey on the prevalence of smoking among Singaporean youths aged 18-19 years old shows that there is a decrease from 15.2% to 12.2% between 1992 and 1995.