Point-of-Sale Display of Tobacco Products to be Banned from 1 August 2017

1.     With effect from 1 August 2017, the point-of-sale display (POSD) of tobacco products will be banned. All general retailers will not be allowed to display cigarettes, cigars, beedies, ang hoon, and other tobacco products within the direct line of sight of the public.

2.     The ban is part of the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s ongoing efforts to enhance public health and decrease smoking prevalence in Singapore. It aims to reduce exposure of non-smokers, especially youths, to the advertising effect of tobacco product displays, and to discourage impulse purchases, thereby helping smokers who are trying to quit.

3.     MOH had announced in July 2016 that the point-of-sale display of tobacco products will be banned under the amended Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA), which was passed in Parliament in March 2016. Tobacco retailers were given a 12 months’ notice period to comply with the requirements. The ban on point-of-sale display of tobacco products will start from 1 August 2017.

Regulations under the POSD ban

4.     The POSD ban will apply to all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, beedies, ang hoon, and other tobacco products. There will continue to be only one point of sale allowed under the tobacco retail licence. To reduce accessibility of cigarettes to youths and non-smokers, the point of sale will remain fixed at the cashier.

5.     General tobacco retailers will be required to use plain, undecorated storage devices to keep tobacco products within their premises, out of the direct line of sight of the public and potential customers. Existing display cabinets can be modified to one that is permanently fixed, self-closing and opaque. Alternatively, new storage units that meet the same requirements can also be constructed. A text-only price list based on a template prescribed by MOH may be shown to customers only at their request.

6.     For specialist tobacconists, the POSD ban will not apply within the shop and tobacco products may be displayed within the store. However, no tobacco products should be visible from outside their premises.

7.     Retailers who contravene the ban shall be liable upon first conviction to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they will be liable to a fine of up $20,000 or to imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

8.     Members of public can help us by reporting errant retailers to the HSA Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684 2037 or 6684 2036 during office hours.

9.    MOH is committed to lowering smoking prevalence in Singapore through a comprehensive, multipronged approach to discourage and reduce the use of tobacco products. This includes legislative restrictions on tobacco advertising and promotion, fiscal policy (e.g. tobacco taxation), public education on the harms of tobacco use, and efforts to encourage tobacco-free living.