S'pore 'not ruling out' ban on flavoured tobacco products & further tobacco tax increases

The government is not ruling out banning flavoured tobacco products in Singapore, said Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam on Feb. 26.

They will also not rule out further tobacco taxes.

This is in view of evidence that flavoured tobacco products increase smoking initiation, particularly among youths.

In response to a question in Parliament by fellow MP Cai Yinzhou, Rahayu acknowledged that such flavours are used to mask the harsh tobacco flavours, increasing their appeal to youths.

Menthol cigarettes also make up around half of Singapore's cigarette market, she said.

"So as we are definitely not closed to reviewing this, we are looking into this matter... We are reviewing as to whether or not we will introduce a ban on flavoured tobacco products."

Cai, citing The Straits Times, had pointed out that the 50 per cent market share of flavoured cigarettes in Singapore is "far more" than in other countries, where the figure is typically lower at five to 29 per cent.

He added that the "variety of flavours" adds to the appeal of vapes and flavoured cigarettes, encouraging their use.

Earlier, during Budget 2026, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had announced a 20 per cent increase in tobacco tax across all tobacco products, with immediate effect.

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