Shisha will be banned in the Republic from Friday (Nov 28) via the publication of the Prohibited Tobacco Regulations made under Section 15 of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, announced the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday.
As a transitional measure, existing licensed tobacco importers and retailers who import or sell shisha tobacco will be allowed to continue importing and retailing shisha tobacco until July 31, 2016, MOH said. This is to allow them ample time to deplete their stock and restructure their businesses away from shisha.
Those who flout the ban could be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed for up to six months or both. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to S$20,000 and up to 12 months’ jail or both.
Members of the public who have information on the import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of shisha tobacco by unlicensed operators can tip-off authorities via the reporting lines 66842036 or 66842037.
Parlimentary Secretary for MOH Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim had earlier said in Parliament that in view of health risks associated with shisha smoking, and to prevent the proliferation and entrenchment of shisha smoking in Singapore, a ban would be effected at end-November.
Source: www.channelnewasia.com
