Increase in Smoking Prevalence

8 July 2013

Question No. 533

Name of Person: Er Dr Lee Bee Wah

Question

To ask the Minister for Health in light of the upward trend of smoking prevalence in Singapore from 12.6% in 2004 to 14.3% in 2010 to 16% in 2012 (a) whether any study has been done to find out what is the cause of this rising trend; and (b) how will the Health Promotion Board address this rising trend to meet its target of 10% by 2020.

Answer

1        According to the 2010 National Health Survey (NHS), the prevalence of smoking in Singapore has increased from 12.3% in 2004 to 14.3% in 2010, reversing a previous long-term decline. This trend is driven by significant increases in smoking among young adults, aged 18 to 39.

2        Social influencers such as older peers and parents have been cited as reasons for picking up smoking among the youths. The Student Health Survey conducted by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) found that 58% of youth smokers have at least one parent who smokes, compared to 27% of youth non-smokers.  

3        To de-normalise smoking, especially among the youths and young adults, my Ministry is considering the introduction of a Point-Of-Sale (POS) display ban, which aims to eliminate the advertising effects of tobacco product displays at retail outlets. A public consultation exercise was done to garner feedback on ways to strengthen our current tobacco control measures, including the proposed POS display ban.

4        My Ministry has also introduced a wide range of anti-tobacco measures that includes school-based awareness programmes to prevent smoking initiation from an early age. We have also brought the Blue Ribbon Smoke-Free Movement to targeted settings such as hawker centres, hotels, parks, and mosques. Over 150 community-based touch-points have been established to facilitate convenient access to smoking cessation services. Three residential estates – Bukit Batok East, Hong Kah North, and Nee Soon South – were exemplary in their voluntary introduction of smoke-free zones in common community areas, such as void decks, corridors, and neighbourhood parks.^[1]

5        As 16.1% of working adults smoke^[2], HPB has partnered the Singapore National Employers Federations (SNEF) to conduct sectoral studies among the workforce, such as employees from the hospitality sector. A survey, for instance, revealed that 31.5% of hotel employees smoke. Stress was indicated as a cause for smoking among this sub-group.

6        The Workplace Smoking Control Programme (WSCP) was thus implemented in industries that have a higher number of employees who smoke, such as the manufacturing, hospitality, and retail industries. The programme considers the unique work environments and creates convenient access to on-site quit consultants. Alternative stress management techniques (as opposed to smoking) are also introduced alongside Nicotine Replacement Therapy, as well as off-site support through QuitLine and the I Quit mobile phone application.

7        My Ministry views the increase in smoking prevalence seriously. We will continue to monitor and review the effectiveness of our tobacco control measures, so as to provide a supportive environment for non-smoking as well as to de-normalise tobacco use.

[1] These residential estates were early adopters of the Blue Ribbon Smoke-Free movement. Voluntary smoke-free zones were respectively implemented in March 2012 (Bukit Batok East), August 2012 (Hong Kah East), and November 2012 (Nee Soon South). With effect from January 2013, these smoke-free zones were incorporated under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act as part of NEA/MEWR’s smoking ban extension.

[2] According to data from the 2010 National Health Survey.