Issues Singapore

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Singapore. Every year, more than 2200 of its people are killed bytobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 2000 children (10-14 years old) and 394000 adults (15+ years old) continue to usetobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in Singapore and ensuresthat tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities and resourcesto strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

17.9%Even though fewer men smoke onaverage in Singapore than on average invery high-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 287700 men who smokecigarettes each day, making it an ongoingand dire public health threat.

Female

6.3%Even though fewer women smoke inSingapore than on average in very high-HDI countries, there are still more than106500 women who smoke cigaretteseach day, making it an ongoing and direpublic health threat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

1.59%Even though fewer boys smoke in Singaporethan on average in very high-HDI countries,there are still more than 1900 boys whosmoke cigarettes each day, making it anongoing and dire public health threat.

Girls

0.94%Even though fewer girls smoke in Singaporethan on average in very high-HDI countries,there are still more than 1000 girls whosmoke cigarettes each day, making it sign ofan ongoing and dire public health threat.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

16.81%Even though fewer men die from tobaccoin Singapore than on average in very high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 33 menevery week, necessitating action frompolicymakers.

Female

5.9%Even though fewer women die fromtobacco in Singapore than on average invery high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills10 women every week, necessitatingaction from policymakers.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in Singapore amounts to 3105million dollar. This includes direct costs related to healthcareexpenditures and indirect costs related to lost productivitydue to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

n/a n/a

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 20%larger than the Gross National Income of Singapore. Theindustry is a powerful force that does not fear the actions ofnation-states because of their extensive resources and globalmarket power.

Growing

There were less than 1000metric tons of tobaccoproduced in Singapore in2014. Tobacco growing is onlya small fraction of agriculturein Singapore, with only lessthan 0.01% of agricultural landdevoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

There were 6.7billion cigarettesproduced inSingapore in2016.

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Solutions Singapore

Current Policy in SingaporeProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Singapore

60.57%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

Quitting Resources National quit line, and both NRT and some cessation services cost-covered

National Quitline Yes

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 50%

Plain Packaging Yes

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience No

Target Audience Research Was Conducted Yes

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign No

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation Yes

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness Yes

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

7/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

3/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

High

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising at point of sale• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support bythe tobacco industry of events, activities, individuals

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