S'pore's minimum legal age for smoking to be raised to 21 from Jan. 1, 2021

[kobayashiGT]

source: https://mothership.sg/2020/12/smoking-age-21-2021/

Beginning from Jan. 1, 2021, the minimum legal age for smoking in Singapore will be raised to 21 years of age.

As of Jan. 1, 2020, the minimum legal age is currently 20 years old.

Addressing the perception that smoking is cool

The gradual increase in age limit over the years is part of the Ministry Of Health (MOH)’s anti-smoking laws passed in 2017.

MOH said that it aims to prevent Singaporean youths from picking up smoking by limiting access to tobacco products, and to also further de-normalise smoking for those below 21.

Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong also touched on this topic in a written reply in Parliament on Feb. 3, 2020.

Gan said the aim is to "denormalise tobacco" use among youths below the age of 21, restrict tobacco access in their social circles and reduce the risk of "smoking initiation."

Citing research by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) on why youths took up smoking, he wrote,"The key reasons...are social influence from friends and the perception that smoking is 'cool'."

Smoking among youths has dropped over the years

In highlighting that smoking among youths had dropped over the years, Gan stated that the prevalence of smoking among Singapore's resident youths, aged 18-29, had declined from 17.2 per cent in 2007 to 9.9 per cent in 2017.

Additionally, the prevalence of smoking among students from secondary schools, ITE and polytechnics decreased from 8 per cent in 2011-2013 to 4 per cent in 2014-2016

Retailers who sell tobacco products to underage people may be fined up to S$5,000 for the first offence, and S$10,000 for subsequent offences.

Those caught buying a tobacco product on behalf of an underage person may be fined up to S$2,500 for the first offence and S$5,000 for subsequent offences.

If you are caught giving tobacco to someone under the minimum legal age, you may be fined up to S$500 for the first offence, and S$1,000 for subsequent offences.

Quote

HAHA. those just got "license" to smoke, cannot buy again and have to wait for 3 more years. awww.... 🤣

 

[Kb27]

what's the point of changing age limit ?

just an outright total ban is more effective. like drugs, get caught buying or smoking, heavy fine or jail, more effective.

[Ct3833]

2 minutes ago, Kb27 said:

what's the point of changing age limit ?

just an outright total ban is more effective. like drugs, get caught buying or smoking, heavy fine or jail, more effective.

Raise more tax 

[Windwaver]

13 minutes ago, Kb27 said:

what's the point of changing age limit ?

just an outright total ban is more effective. like drugs, get caught buying or smoking, heavy fine or jail, more effective.

I want my bubble gum ; it doesn't kill most of the time.

 

[Kb27]

13 minutes ago, Windwaver said:

I want my bubble gum ; it doesn't kill most of the time.

 

bubble gum compared to cigarettes, is 100x less destructive.

and yet it's banned.

[Jman888]

40 minutes ago, kobayashiGT said:

HAHA. those just got "license" to smoke, cannot buy again and have to wait for 3 more years. awww.... 🤣

legal age is 20 in 2020, so next year they also can smoke cos they 21 liao

 

[Zxcvb]

This law was implemented 3 years ago lah. Nothing new. From 2018 till 2021 they raise the age limit progressively from 18 till 21. Last time someone even want to ban those born year 2000 onwards from smoking forever. 

[Kopites]

Imo should raise the male age limit till ROD from army.

Want to smoke complete army regardless of age.

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2020 by Kopites

[Sosaria]

"Additionally, the prevalence of smoking among students from secondary schools, ITE and polytechnics decreased from 8 per cent in 2011-2013 to 4 per cent in 2014-2016", article states...

Only 4 percent or less now??

Statistic does not match what we see.

Edited December 27, 2020 by Sosaria

[Porker]

46 minutes ago, Kb27 said:

what's the point of changing age limit ?

just an outright total ban is more effective. like drugs, get caught buying or smoking, heavy fine or jail, more effective.

Statistics have shown that the number of drug users in a particular age group fell when rec heroin and pot were legalized. However, lifetime drug use increased. Just sharing.

[Optramagnum]

28 minutes ago, Sosaria said:

"Additionally, the prevalence of smoking among students from secondary schools, ITE and polytechnics decreased from 8 per cent in 2011-2013 to 4 per cent in 2014-2016", article states...

Only 4 percent or less now??

Statistic does not match what we see.

JC students don't smoke at all? Or stereotyping? 

[Voodooman]

1 hour ago, Sosaria said:

"Additionally, the prevalence of smoking among students from secondary schools, ITE and polytechnics decreased from 8 per cent in 2011-2013 to 4 per cent in 2014-2016", article states...

Only 4 percent or less now??

Statistic does not match what we see.

My observation is generally inline with the statistics, maybe coz i went to an Ah Beng's school many years ago. 

[Voodooman]

1 hour ago, Kb27 said:

bubble gum compared to cigarettes, is 100x less destructive.

and yet it's banned.

I love the bubble gum ban. No more sticky gum on seats, in the lift and best of all, no more ugly pavement everywhere. 

 

[ER-3682]

3 hours ago, Kb27 said:

what's the point of changing age limit ?

just an outright total ban is more effective. like drugs, get caught buying or smoking, heavy fine or jail, more effective.

Cannot Ban,1 Packet of Cigarette Gov't earns $7.20..a big income...

[Volvobrick]

8 minutes ago, ER-3682 said:

Cannot Ban,1 Packet of Cigarette Gov't earns $7.20..a big income...

Should double the duties, 1 pack earns 15 bucks! Need to fund all the cleaning up by those f... king smokers who litter every corner.

[ER-3682]

3 minutes ago, Volvobrick said:

Should double the duties, 1 pack earns 15 bucks! Need to fund all the cleaning up by those f... king smokers who litter every corner.

Agreed,l heard Australia selling S$25.00 per Packet.

[inlinesix]

9 minutes ago, Volvobrick said:

Should double the duties, 1 pack earns 15 bucks! Need to fund all the cleaning up by those f... king smokers who litter every corner.

That's why it is stupid to ban import of

https://www.pmi.com/smoke-free-products/iqos-our-tobacco-heating-system

[Xers007]

You dont get addicted to gums but you get addicted to ciggies so cannot ban out-rightly, if not many ppl will be on MC.