Ban on Flavoured Tobacco to Curb Appeal to Youths

5 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will consider a total ban on flavoured tobacco to curb youth appeal; and (b) whether further tobacco tax increases is being considered to discourage smoking.

The Minister of State for Health (Ms Rahayu Mahzam) (for the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health reviews our tobacco control policies regularly with the aim of keeping smoking prevalence as low as possible. We do not rule out introducing a ban on flavoured tobacco products in the future and implementing further tobacco tax increases.

Mr Speaker: Mr Cai.

Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Thank you, Speaker. Seven clear days ago, I filed this question, not knowing that a few hours later, the Prime Minister would raise cigarette tax, answering part (b) to the question. I have three supplementary questions for the Minister of State.

In 2022, The Straits Times reported over 50% of cigarettes sold in Singapore are flavoured. This was noted to be far more than in other countries where the market share is typically 5% to 25%. There are also countless scientific studies that have shown that added flavours make cigarettes more appealing to youths, as they mask the harsh tobacco taste. Some flavours, like menthol, also interact with nicotine in the brain, making them more addictive.

Given this, my three supplementary questions are: were there studies that found correlation between the popularity of vape and flavoured cigarettes amongst youths, which was due to the variety of flavours that they were sold in; two, are flavoured cigarettes in Singapore, more addictive, and what is the current market share of these cigarettes; and thirdly, are there plans to reduce the proportion of flavoured cigarettes sold or to entirely cut them out?

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: Thank you, Speaker. Yes, indeed, there is a large body of international evidence showing that flavoured tobacco products increase smoking initiation, particularly amongst youths. Because, as the Member had mentioned earlier, the flavours, like menthol or fruit, are used to mask the harsh tobacco flavour and this actually increases its appeal to the youths.

He also mentioned about The Straits Times report, it is still fairly accurate that menthol cigarettes take up almost half of Singapore's cigarette market.

So, we are definitely not close to reviewing this. We are looking into this matter. As I mentioned in the earlier answer, we are reviewing as to whether or not we will introduce a ban on the flavoured tobacco products.