Youth Forum: Good to make smokers pay more

The most recent National Health Survey conducted in 2010 showed a rise in the number of smokers here. The Health Sciences Authority also revealed that almost 7,000 people aged under 18 were caught smoking in 2010.

These figures suggest that deaths caused by smoking may rise in the coming years.

Children as young as 13 have been caught smoking. They are picking up the habit because of peer influence or simply out of curiosity.

The recent 10 per cent increase in cigarette and manufactured tobacco levies has come at the right time.

I support such an effort as it will discourage children from picking up smoking and lower health-care costs in the future.

Letter by Brendon Tan Jun Wei, 18, polytechnic student

This article was published on May 7 in The Straits Times.

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