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SINGAPORE: Singapore has tightened the screws on tobacco control measures, in line with WHO standards.
This comes as smoking has increased in recent years, particularly among young adults.
Between 2004 and 2007, smoking prevalence increased from 18 per cent to 25 per cent among young men, and seven per cent to nine per cent among young women.
It's also to hit at tobacco companies who fight back against control measures with new and alternative products.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan introduced changes to the Anti-Smoking Bill passed in Parliament Monday.
There will now be a full ban on tobacco advertising, and companies will no longer be able to sponsor arts and cultural events.
Arts organisations will have until year's end before the change comes into effect.
Health warning labels will be extended to outer packaging, such as the box that holds individual packages for retail.
Misleading labels such as "mild" or "light" to imply the product is less harmful will also be prohibited.
Mr Khaw said tobacco manufacturers will be given a grace period of 12 months from the date of gazette to effect the necessary changes.
The ban on smokeless tobacco products for oral use has also been expanded to cover more categories.
Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore Health Minister, said: "This is a pack of cigarettes, electrical cigarettes. It releases nicotine. It even lights up. And there are health warnings: 'Smoking is harmful for health. E-cigarettes are good for health.' Many of these products closely resemble confectionary items. Clearly the intent is for them to act as starter products that get young non-smokers addicted to nicotine."
- CNA/jm
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