Shisha Smoking

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Minister for Health in light of findings on the effects of shisha smoking on lung functions published recently by the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (a) whether the Government will consider a review of its policies on shisha smoking; (b) how many licensed shisha businesses are there currently; and (c) how are the regulations on indoor shisha smoking being enforced.

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The study published in July 2012 by the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences found that lung functions in shisha smokers were adversely affected to the same degree as deep-inhaling cigarette smokers. This is in line with the findings published by other institutions like the Dokuz Eylül University, Turkey; Tishreen University School of Medicine, Syria; and Kuwait University, Kuwait.

There are a total of 43 tobacco retail outlets that sell shisha today. My Ministry will continue to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle in the population and has stepped up educational efforts to focus on the harm of  shisha  smoking. The Health Promotion Board embarked on a  shisha  education campaign in March 2012 targeted at young adults aged 18-25 years, using social media to correct the misconceptions youth might have regarding shisha smoking. We also had youth advocates on the ground distributing educational material and educating their peers regarding the dangers of shisha.

NEA conducts routine checks of food and beverage establishments, including those that serve shisha, and enforces against any infringements. No distinction is made between shisha and other tobacco products with regard to smoking prohibitions. Between January last year and July this year, NEA issued more than 60 summonses against retail outlets that sell shisha for infringing smoking prohibition regulations.

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