Singapore clamps down on shisha smoking
The Singapore government said Tuesday it would phase out public shisha smoking to protect young people who feel that smoking tobacco through water pipes is less harmful than cigarettes. Faishal Ibrahim, parliamentary secretary for the health ministry, told a legislative session that a ban on new licences for shisha imports and sales would come into force this month. "In view of the health risks associated with shisha smoking and to prevent the proliferation and entrenchment of shisha smoking in Singapore, my ministry intends to prohibit the import, distribution and sale of shisha," Faishal told lawmakers. The minimum age for smoking in Singapore, including at shisha bars and cafes, is 18.
