11, 12 However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no published study of menthol marketing in Singapore. 10 Research from the European Union, United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand consistently shows that flavored tobacco, particularly menthol, encourages smoking initiation among young people.
7 Qualitative research with youth smokers in Singapore (age 15–29) suggests that flavored cigarettes facilitate initiation users believe they are milder and thereby ‘healthier’ than regular cigarettes. Most Singaporeans start smoking before age 21.
Data sources: Singapore First National Morbidity Survey, Labour Force Survey, National Health Survey and National Health Surveillance Survey. Smoking prevalence trend and timeline of tobacco control measures implemented in Singapore, 1970–2013.
