The ban will affect all advertisements originating from outside Singapore, even if targeted at persons outside the republic. Photo credit: Reuters
SINGAPORE: There will be a comprehensive ban on cross-border advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products on all media, including the Internet.
This applies to advertisements originating from outside Singapore, even if targeted at persons outside the republic.
The ruling applies following changes to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Bill which were passed in Parliament today, Channel News Asia reported.
Malaysia has banned all forms of direct tobacco advertising in 2003, with temporary exemptions for selected sport sponsorships and in 2008, it introduced graphic warnings on tobacco packaging.
Channel News Asia said that an existing ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or e-cigarettes, will also be extended to newer varieties that may not necessarily physically resemble cigarettes or other tobacco products.
“The ban will also extend to the components of such products, to prevent such products from being imported in parts, and reassembled thereafter,” Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr Amy Khor was quoted as saying.
Advertising these imitation tobacco products will also be prohibited.
The report said that with the changes to the Bill, stores will be banned from displaying tobacco products in Singapore.
It aimed at “de-normalising” tobacco use, and reducing the exposure of non-smokers – especially youths – to the advertising effect of point-of-sale tobacco product displays.
The ban will apply to all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, beedies (thin cigarettes wrapped with a leaf), and ang hoon (loose tobacco leaves).
Under the new rules, general tobacco retailers will be required to use storage devices to keep tobacco products out of the direct line of sight of customers.
Dr Khor said that countries that have successfully introduced such a ban include Australia, Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
With the changes, retailers will have to use a text-only price list to communicate the tobacco products on sale with customers.
Tobacco retailers will be given a one-year grace period before the point-of-sale display ban takes effect, said Dr Khor. – Bernama