Singapore’s parliament on Monday voted to ban the display of cigarettes in a bid to further curb the habit in a nation which already has one of the world’s lowest smoking rates.
From 2017, merchants must keep tobacco out of sight and not display any advertisement of it, according to the new regulations.
Singapore joins countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK in banning cigarette displays in stores.
Legislators also voted to ban all forms of cigarette advertising, including online ads.
Electronic-cigarettes, as well as vapers, are also not allowed to be displayed, said Amy Khor, the city-state’s Senior Minister of State for Health who moved the tobacco bill in parliament.
“Though we are fortunate that smoking prevalence in Singapore has remained relatively low compared to many other countries, we must not be complacent,” she said.