Number of Smokers and Patients with Smoking-related Diseases

Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the number of patients with diseases caused by smoking has fallen in the last three years; (b) whether the number of smokers, especially those aged 30 and below, has decreased; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider reducing hospital subsidies for active smokers as a deterrent measure.

Based on the two most recent national health surveys conducted in 2010 and 2013, smoking prevalence among those aged 18 to 69 declined slightly from 14.3% to 13.3%. Amongst those aged 30 and below, smoking prevalence decreased more significantly from 16.8% to 13.4%.

The age-standardised hospitalisation rates of Singapore residents for smoking-related diseases fell slightly over the last three years, from 15.8 per 1,000 residents in 2013 to 15.4 per 1,000 residents in 2014 and 15.0 per 1,000 residents in 2015.

Reducing hospital subsidies for smokers as a deterrent measure could result in unintended consequences, for example, patients may delay seeking treatment, which can increase the risk of complications and further affect their health.

We want to focus on helping smokers to quit smoking. The Ministry of Health has developed a comprehensive tobacco control plan with both legislative and non-legislative measures to encourage smokers to quit and discourage non-smokers, especially youths, from picking up smoking.

The Health Promotion Board has more than 200 smoking cessation touchpoints, including healthcare institutions and retail pharmacies in the community. Smokers who want to quit smoking can also seek help through the toll-free QuitLine and available online resources.