Speech by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Health, at the Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Tobacco Control Meeting, 5 September 2017

Mayor Francis Anthony S Garcia

Mayor Dr. Bima Arya Sugiarto

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1    Good morning. I am happy to be here at the Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Tobacco Control Meeting, organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, and would like to thank the organisers and the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association (SATA) for inviting me.

2    Tobacco is a major health concern. The recently published World Health Organization Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2017 reveals that tobacco use kills more than 7 million persons worldwide each year.  The World Health Organization has also found that second-hand smoke is responsible for around 600,000 deaths around the world each year.  I was in China recently for a meeting and encountered second-hand smoke in many public places, including restaurants, hotel lobby and even public toilets.

3    Here in Singapore, smoking is the second-highest contributor to our disease burden after obesity.  More than 2,000 Singaporeans die prematurely from smoking-related diseases each year.  Researchers from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore have recently estimated that smoking cost our society at least $600 million a year in direct healthcare costs and lost productivity; this does not include the value of lost years of healthy life through premature deaths or time spent in ill-health.

4    Tobacco control and efforts to discourage smoking are priorities for us. Singapore has adopted a multi-pronged approach to tobacco control, which includes legislation, taxation, public education and helping smokers to quit. Through our tobacco control laws, we have put in place a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; requirements for graphic health warning labels on tobacco packaging; a ban on smoking in public places; and a ban on sale of tobacco products to minors. In addition, Health Promotion Board (HPB) works with schools to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle and educate our youth on the harms of smoking.  HPB also helps smokers to quit through its National Quit-line and the I-Quit movement.  

5    Collectively, these measures have reduced smoking prevalence over time. The proportion of Singaporeans who smoke daily have dropped over the past decades from more than 18% in 1992 to around 13% today.  This is lower than many other countries in Asia.  However, more can be done to further discourage smoking, especially amongst our young.  Today, 1 in 4 men smoke, and many smokers pick up the habit in their youth. Amongst existing smokers, more than 90% had their first puff before the age of 21 years old, and more than 80% of existing smokers in Singapore became regular smokers before the age of 21 years.^[1] We have recently put in place additional measures, such as a ban on the display of tobacco products at points-of-sale, and will be amending the law to increase the minimum legal age for tobacco from 18 to 21.

6    Tobacco control requires effective partnerships and the participation of all stakeholders. I am glad to see many officials and healthcare experts come together to share experiences on this important topic.  Singapore looks forward to learn from all of you and to better understand best practices in your countries and cities for reducing smoking prevalence.  Together, we can improve the health of our people by working together and taking a united stand on tobacco control.

7    Thank you and I wish everyone a fruitful day ahead.

^[1] National Health Surveillance Survey 2013. Prevalence among Singapore citizens/Permanent Residents current smokers aged 18-39 years.