To discourage smoking in Singapore, a ban will be imposed on displaying cigarettes and other tobacco products in stores from August 1, after the end of a one-year grace period.
Reminding people about the move, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said, “All general retailers will not be allowed to display cigarettes, cigars, beedis, ang hoon, and other tobacco products within the direct line of sight of the public.”
It said, “General tobacco retailers will be required to use plain, undecorated storage devices to keep tobacco products within their premises, out of the direct line of sight of the public and potential customers. Existing display cabinets can be modified to permanently fixed, self-closing and opaque ones.”
MOH added, “Alternatively, new storage units that meet the same requirements can also be constructed. A text-only price list based on a template prescribed by MOH may be shown to customers only at their request.”
The law banning the display of tobacco products was passed in Parliament last March, under amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Bill. It is part of MOH’s efforts to discourage smoking, particularly among younger people, in Singapore.
The regulations envisage that the point of sale will remain fixed at the cashier so that accessibility of cigarettes to youths and non-smokers might be reduced.
Tobacco retailers convicted of flouting the ban will face a maximum jail term of six months, a fine of up to SGD10,000, or both. The penalties are double for repeat offenders.
