Singapore

Singapore became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in shops, universities and vocational facilities, cultural facilities, and hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Although smoking is prohibited in some indoor public places and workplaces, designated smoking areas can be established in many workplaces, government buildings, hawker centers, and public transport facilities, among others.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Virtually all advertising of tobacco products is banned, with “advertising” defined very broadly to encompass most forms of direct and indirect advertising and promotion. Point of sale product display is prohibited at most points of retail sale, although specialist tobacconists and certain duty-free shops are exempt. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship, although the publicity of such sponsorship is prohibited under the general ban on tobacco advertising.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Plain packaging is required for all tobacco products beginning July 1, 2020. Combined picture and textual health warnings are required to appear on 75 percent of the front and back of smoked tobacco product packaging. Rotation is required every 24 months. The law prohibits the sale of smokeless tobacco products. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light”; “lights”; “low tar”; “low-tar”; “mild”; and “ultra-light", is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law does not require that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines and the internet. The law also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and waterpipe tobacco. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 21.

E-Cigarettes

The law bans the sale; use; and advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes.

Heated Tobacco Products

The sale and use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) are prohibited. HTPs are considered “imitation tobacco products” under the law. Most forms of advertising of HTPs are prohibited.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Two primary pieces of legislation govern tobacco control in Singapore. First, the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act authorizes the National Environmental Agency (NEA) to designate places and public vehicles as smoke free. The NEA issued the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Notification identifying smoke free public places and transport, in addition to establishing duties, enforcement powers, and penalties. The Notification has been amended several times. Other regulations and laws further develop the definitions, penalties, and the duties associated with restrictions on smoking in public places and on public transport.

The second primary piece of tobacco control legislation is the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. This law regulates tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and tobacco product packaging and labeling. The law also bans the import, distribution, sale, possession, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes and HTPs. The Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act has been amended several times, most recently in 2019. Several other laws and regulations supply additional authority regulating these policy areas. The Info-communications Media Development Authority has issued numerous codes of practice that regulate programming and advertising through various media outlets. In addition, regulations have been issued concerning topics such as: advertisements in foreign newspapers, licensing requirements for the importation and sale of tobacco, point of sale product display ban (and exemptions from the ban), and the required text and pictures in health warning messages to be displayed on tobacco products. These implementing regulations include the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Labelling) Regulations 2019, which revoke the previous requirements contained in the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Labelling) Regulations 2012.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts reviewed our analysis.