Jump to full article: AsiaOne (sg), 2009-08-03
Author: Dawn Tay
Intro: MISLEADING cigarette labels such as "light", "mild" and "low tar" may soon be history as Singapore seeks to curb the rising number of young adults who smoke.
Going by the most recent statistics available, the three years between 2004 and 2007 have seen a roughly 40 per cent increase in the numbers of smokers aged 18 to 29, according to the Health Promotion Board (HPB).
Within that age group, one in four men smoked in 2007, up from around 18 per cent in 2004; among women, 9 per cent smoked in 2007, versus almost 7 per cent in 2004.
Studies have shown "light" cigarettes to be as harmful and addictive as ordinary ones.
The HPB is inviting public feedback on the proposed banning of the "light" label and other smoking legislation.
These include cracking down on tobacco retailers who blatantly sell to underage youths.
Their licences would be instantly revoked if they sell to underage youth in uniform or anyone who is clearly 12 or younger.
Tobacco sponsorship of arts-related events - the sole avenue for tobacco firms to advertise here - may also be banned, while fines levied on underage smokers might be upped.
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