As progress towards a ‘smoke-free nation’ remains slow, one question arises: why not ban smoking outright? Singapore banned vaping in 2018 amid an alarming rise in take-up among the young. Offenders face fines, but are also offered rehabilitation and mandatory testing. The penalty for those in the business of etomidate-laced e-vaporisers or ‘Kpods’ is harsher; up to 20 years’ imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane.
Two weeks ago, Singapore raised the tax on tobacco products by 20%. The aim, of course, is to curb smoking. But does the strategy work? Policymakers seem to think so. Levies on tobacco were implemented in 2018 and again in 2023. In 2020, tobacco companies were banned from displaying branding — replaced with standard fonts, logoless boxes plastered with health warnings printed in Pantone 448C, the drab brown dubbed ‘the world’s ugliest colour’.
Escalating the price of tobacco products to discourage use is an approach supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). A 2015 report by the WHO points to a 4% decline in overall consumption on average for every 10% hike in high-income countries. This is good news for Singapore. With the cost per stick now at 58.9 cents, the nation can, in theory, project a record low in daily smokers. In 2024, this stood at 8.4%.
