Proposal for Public Consultation on Generational Ban on Smoking

11 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will conduct a public consultation on a generational ban on smoking; and (b) whether the Ministry will set up a citizens' workgroup to study the possibility of imposing a generational ban on smoking.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Ms Rahayu Mahzam) (for the Minister for Health): The Ministry of Health (MOH) is reviewing the feasibility of a generational ban on tobacco, also known as Tobacco-Free Generation policy, as part of our tobacco control strategy.

We thank Mr Louis Ng for his suggestion. As part of the review, we will consider public consultation or other engagement to gather feedback from the population on potential new tobacco control policies, which may be implemented.

Mr Speaker: Mr Louis Ng.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon): Just a quick one, Sir. I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the reply that MOH is considering a public consultation. But what about the citizens' workgroup that I suggested as well?

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: We are not closed to the different modalities of engagements, so we will consider this as part of our efforts in getting and gathering feedback from the public.