New tobacco, substitute products to be banned
NEW tobacco and tobacco substitute products – including oral tobacco, “tobacco candies” that dissolve in the mouth, and fruit-flavoured cigarettes – will be banned here. They are falsely marketed as safer alternatives to cigarettes, and may lead to young people becoming hooked, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday.
More young people here are taking up smoking, he added. The ban is in line with those imposed in several countries, including Australia and Canada.
Under the new Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, passed yesterday, tobacco companies can also no longer use terms like “mild” or “light” for their products, and can no longer sponsor arts or cultural events.
From health.asiaone.com, August 9th, 2010