In 1970, Singapore was among the first countries to introduce a ban on smoking in certain public places. This has been expanded over the years to more and more areas, including most indoor spaces, hospital, schools and their surroundings, parks and playgrounds, washrooms and more.
In 1971, Singapore was the first Asian country to introduce a ban on tobacco advertisements in print, TV and radio. This advertising ban was extended in 1989 to prohibit free sampling, point-of-sale displays and the use of tobacco logos on non-tobacco products. In 2016, electronic tobacco advertisements were also banned.
In 1991, Singapore removed the duty-free tobacco allowance for all inbound travellers.
Two years later, a minimum legal age at which tobacco products can be purchased, set at 18 years old, was introduced.
In 1998, sales of tobacco products were restricted to licensed shops.
In 2004, Singapore became the first Asian country to introduce mandatory graphic health warning labels on tobacco product packaging. This followed earlier requirements that cigarette packets carry text health warning labels.
In 2017, Singapore implemented a point-of-sale display ban for tobacco products, and banned the purchase, use and possession of imitation tobacco products.
From 2019, Singapore progressively raised the minimum legal age at which tobacco products can be purchased from 18 years to 21 years of age.
That year, Orchard Road was made a no-smoking zone, and you can only smoke at designated areas.
2020 Since Jul 1, 2020, all tobacco has had to come in standardised packaging.
Sources: Public Consultation Paper on Proposed Tobacco Control Measures in Singapore 2018, Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Board
