Tobacco substitutes to be banned

Alternative tobacco products, including those not available here, will be banned in Singapore from mid-December.

In addition, similar but not commonly used tobacco products that are already on sale here will be banned from August next year.

This means that these products will no longer be imported, distributed or sold in Singapore.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement last week: "Besides protecting the public from the health risks associated with the consumption of emerging tobacco products, the ban is aimed at ensuring that the targeted tobacco products do not gain a foothold or become entrenched in the Singapore market."

MOH also hopes that, with the ban of such products, non-smokers will not be encouraged to pick up smoking.

MOH said that none of these products are available in Singapore yet. Exceptions to the ban are tobacco products, tobacco derivatives and medicinal products registered under the Medicines Act.

Tobacco or nicotine-containing substances meant to be used in e-cigarettes. It comprises a cartridge of liquid nicotine inserted into a battery-operated steel tube. A heating coil vaporises the nicotine into a fine mist, which is inhaled.

Alternatives to traditional cigarettes, such as smokeless cigarettes and dissolvable tobacco or nicotine.

Nasal and oral snuff, which are smokeless forms of tobacco that are inhaled and taken orally respectively.

Gutkha, which is a mix of tobacco, betel nut and catechu (herb) with lime, menthol, sandal oil, spice and flavourings.

Khaini and zarda, which are flavoured chewing tobaccos.

This article was first published on June 22, 2015.
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