Tobacco Use and Trends
- In 2022, an estimated 820.0 thousand people (726.5 thousand males and 94.6 thousand females) aged 15 years and older were tobacco product users in Singapore. This positions the country as the 95th globally and the 11th in the WHO Western Pacific Region in terms of number of tobacco users.1,2
For comparison, based on National Population Health Survey, a notable decrease on daily smoking rate among adults aged 18 to 74 years was observed from 13.3% in 2007 to 9.2% in 2022. Prevalence was higher in males with 16% compared with the females with 2.7% in 2022.
The daily smoking prevalence was reported to be more prevalent 11.6% in adults aged 40 to 49 years and the least prevalent (5.1%) in young adults aged 18 to 29 years.
It is estimated that the demand for cigarettes per capita reduced by 9.3% from 24.2 packs in 2010 to 22 packs in 2022. (Euromonitor [accessed November 2023])
Based on the National Population Health Survey, daily male smokers smoked on average 13 cigarettes a day, while female daily smokers smoked 9 cigarettes a day in 2022.
Nicotine Alternatives
- There is no available data on prevalence of other nicotine alternatives in Singapore.
Health and Economic Burden From Tobacco Use
In 2021, it was estimated that tobacco was the 4th highest risk factor driving the most death and disability combined in Singapore.
Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 2.0 thousand deaths, which is about 20.0% of total deaths.
Of tobacco-related deaths, 1.7 thousand or 87.8% were due to smoking, and 278.3 or 14.2% were due to secondhand smoke.
In 2021, the top 10 causes of the most deaths in Singapore included Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) ranking 1st, Lung Cancer ranking 4th, and Stroke ranking 5th.
Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 479.3 or 14.4% of all IHD deaths, 89.3 or 10.9% of all Stroke deaths, 600.6 or 73.1% of all Lung Cancer deaths, and 140.6 or 57.6% of all COPD deaths.
In 2021, tobacco use caused an estimated loss of 60.2 thousand disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which was about 16.7% of total DALYs. Tobacco accounts for 13.2 thousand DALYs for IHD, 4.0 thousand DALYs for Stroke, 13.0 thousand DALYs for Lung Cancer, and 3.9 thousand DALYs for COPD.
Regulatory Environment and Economics
Public Health Commitment
- Singapore ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004.
- Singapore adopted graphical health warnings (GHWs) on combustible cigarettes (CCs) in 2004, covering 75% of the front and 75% of the back of the packages. In addition, plain packaging (PP) for CCs was implemented in 2020.
Diverse Tobacco Market
- The sale, use and advertising of Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) and e-cigarettes are banned.
Taxation Policy
- In 2022, total tax rate on retail prices of a pack of cigarette was 66.3%.
Smoking and Advertising Bans3
- Minimal smoking bans with complete level of compliance, and moderate advertising bans with complete level of compliance were enforced in Singapore in 2022.
Age Restrictions
- Tobacco products cannot be sold to individuals younger than 21 years of age.
Illicit Cigarette Trade
- Estimated figures indicate that Singapore had significant illicit cigarette trade in 2008 with 19.5% followed by a dramatic and consistent decline, settling at 2.7% in 2022. (Euromonitor [accessed November 2023])
Tobacco Production and Diversification
- Detailed data is not readily available from the Food and Agriculture Organization for Singapore. (FAOSTAT [accessed January 2024])