All cigarette packs in S'pore to show diseased body parts & no logo from July 1, 2020

Tobacco products sold in Singapore must have standardised packaging and enlarged graphic health warnings from July 1, 2020,

This major design overhaul was announced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a statement on Monday, July 1.

What products?

All tobacco products including cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, beedies, ang hoon and other roll-your own tobacco products will be affected.

MOH announced on Oct. 31, 2018 the decision to implement the changes for all tobacco packaging.

It is collectively known as the SP Measure - Standard Packaging Measure.

Extensive review of local and international studies, as well as research and evidence on the SP Measure and several rounds of public consultations were conducted.

How tobacco packages will look like

No logos, colours, images or other promotional information associated with the tobacco brand will be allowed on the packaging.

Product and brand names will be in a standardised font style and colour.

Graphic warnings more graphic

The minimum size of graphic health warnings will also be increased to 75 percent of the packaging surface, up from 50 percent.

The warnings traditionally depict the ill effects of smoking, such as gum disease, deformed babies and a gangrenous foot.

MOH said in its statement: "The SP Measure for tobacco products will, in conjunction with other tobacco control measures, contribute to achieving broader tobacco control aims such as discouraging non-smokers from picking up smoking, encouraging smokers to quit, and encouraging Singaporeans to adopt a tobacco-free lifestyle, which will ultimately lead to reduced smoking prevalence."

Law

The Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Appearance, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2019 (SP Regulations) were gazetted on July 1, 2019.

It will come into operation on July 1, 2020.

Penalties

Those who do not comply with the SP regulations after July 1, 2020 may be liable to a fine of up to S$10,000 and a jail term of up to six months, or both, in the case of first offenders.

Those with a prior qualifying conviction will face heavier penalties.

Content that keeps Mothership.sg going

??

How to make your Asian mum proud of you once and for all. Don't say we never teach.

??

Click here for rabak artist impressions of your neighbourhood. Pls don't laugh we tried our best.

??

How long do you take to get to work? Very shag hor.

?️?

Want to go Japan this year or not??

??

PMDs be lit when they don't catch fire. That's where UL2272 comes in.