From March next year, words like "light', "low-tar" and "mild" will be banned from the packaging of tobacco products, while a new set of graphic warnings will replace current ones.

The Health Promotion Board (HPB), in partnership with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), will introduce stronger tobacco control measures, under the amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
The measures include a new set of graphic health warnings and the extension of graphic health warning labels to the outer packaging or carton packaging.
Further, the maximum tar and nicotine limits will be lowered and tar and nicotine yield levels must be accompanied with a new health information requirement.
Cigarillos,will have to be sold in packs of 20, instead of the current 10.
Chief Executive Officer of HPB, Mr Ang Hak Seng, said the reality is that smoking kills, regardless of what type of cigarette it is. He said there is no evidence that "light" and "mild" cigarettes are any less harmful.
A briefing session was held on Thursday  to communicate the changes to the tobacco industry which will have time until 1 March 2013 to implement these changes. (pi)