Smokeless products will be taken off markets that also will be closed to future sales of unapproved ones like e-cigarettes as a public health measure, the Health Ministry said.

The first phase of the ban, which prohibits products not currently available in Singapore, including smokeless cigarettes, smokeless cigars and smokeless cigarillos, dissolvable tobacco or nicotine and nicotine containing liquids, will take effect from 15 December 2015. The second phase, which bans existing products, including nasal and oral snuff and chewing tobacco varieties gutkha, khaini and zarda will be implemented in August 2016 to give retailers time to adjust.
According to the Ministry of Health’s website, “the ban is part of the ongoing enhancements to existing tobacco control efforts in Singapore. Besides protecting the public from the health risks associated with the consumption of emerging tobacco products, the ban is aimed at ensuring that the targeted emerging tobacco products do not gain a foothold or become entrenched in the Singapore market. The ban will prevent these products from stimulating demand for and thereby increasing the prevalence of tobacco consumption. It will also prevent such products from becoming “gateway” or “starter” products for non-smokers.”