新加坡卫生部：我们在降低吸烟率这方面取得了很好的成绩

我现在谈谈我们支持新加坡人为实现更健康生活方式所做的努力。

多年来，我们通过各种举措配合新加坡人采用更健康的饮食和积极的生活方式。例如，我们的符号和标签区分健康等级，帮助新加坡人识别更健康的产品，并通过“较健康食材开发计划”确保他们获得更健康和价格合理的食材。此外，全岛也大量地举办体育活动。

我们开始看到这些努力带来的积极结果。2022年的全国营养调查显示，平均每日糖摄入量已经减少，更多新加坡人达到了推荐的糖摄入限制。运动项目的参与率也有所增加。

尽管如此，我们必须对其他健康趋势保持警惕。

根据全国营养调查，新加坡人的食量增加，有90%的人超过了每日推荐的两克钠的限制。调查还显示，肥胖的患病率持续增加，从2013年的8.6%上升到2020年的10.5%，再到2022年的11.6%。

我们可以将更健康的习惯融入我们的生活中，做出一些小的改变。继续使用健康等级标签来选购更健康的食品。使用Healthy 365应用程序中的餐食记录工具来计划、监控和控制卡路里摄入量。外出用餐时，要求减少肉汁和酱料，并避免喝完所有汤类菜肴中的汤。在Healthy 365应用程序中获取各种各样的体育活动，并参加你喜欢的活动。

另一个健康风险是吸烟。严燕松先生询问了无烟世代条款的问题。过去几位议员也曾提出过这个想法。我们的重点是保护人民的健康，我们不排除任何能有效帮助我们实现这一目标的措施。正如严先生指出的，新西兰曾经改变了他们最初实施禁烟世代法案的计划。这里需要注意的一个重要点是，新西兰允许使用电子烟，并让人们从吸烟转向使用电子烟。同样，马来西亚最近也改变了他们的决定。

那么就只剩下英国了，我们将密切关注他们如何实施这项禁令。要使烟草禁令生效，我们需要考虑各种实施问题。例如，年长者是否可以为受禁令影响的年轻人购买香烟？如果不行，我们应该如何进行执行？禁令是否适用于游客？

严先生提到现有措施的效果微乎其微。事实并非如此。我们在减少新加坡吸烟率方面取得了良好进展。我们最近的努力包括标准化包装措施，将吸烟的最低法定年龄提高到21岁，并在去年将烟草税提高了15%，通过健康SG计划支持戒烟的措施也得到了加强。这些措施继续控制吸烟率，我们在2022年实现了历史最低水平的9.2%。而且仍在下降。

因此，即使我们研究禁烟世代法案的可行性，我们也将继续努力降低吸烟率。

I will now talk about our efforts to support Singaporeans to achieve healthier lifestyles.

We have supported Singaporeans in adopting healthier diets and an active lifestyle through various initiatives over the years. For example, we have introduced easy-to-use symbols and labels to help Singaporeans identify healthier products, and ensured access to healthier and affordable ingredients through the Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme. A wide range of physical activities have also been provided island-wide.

We are starting to see positive results from these efforts. The National Nutrition Survey 2022 revealed that average daily sugar intake has decreased and more Singaporeans were meeting the recommended sugar limit. Participation rates in exercise programmes have also increased.

Despite these, we must remain vigilant about other health trends. 

Based on the National Nutrition Survey, Singaporeans are eating more and 90% have exceeded the recommended daily limit of two grams of sodium. The National Population Health Survey 2022 also showed that the prevalence of obesity has continued to increase, from 8.6% in 2013, to 10.5% in 2020, and 11.6% in 2022. 

We can make small shifts to incorporate healthier habits in our lives. Continue to use the suite of user-friendly symbols and labels to make healthier purchases. Plan, monitor and moderate calorie intake using the Meal Log tool on the Healthy 365 app. When dining out, ask for less gravy and sauces and avoid drinking all the soup in soup-based dishes. Access a myriad of physical activities on the Healthy 365 app and participate in those of your liking.

Another health risk is smoking. Mr Gerald Giam asked about a Tobacco Cohort Ban. The idea has been raised by several Members in the past. Our focus is on protecting public health and we do not rule out any measure that would help us achieve that effectively. As Mr Giam pointed out, New Zealand had reversed their initial plans to implement a Tobacco Cohort Ban. A salient point to note here is that New Zealand allows vaping and was prepared for people to switch from smoking to vaping. Similarly, Malaysia recently reversed their decision. 

That leaves the UK, and we will monitor closely how they intend to implement the ban. For a Tobacco Cohort Ban to be effective, we need to consider various implementation issues. For example, can someone older buy cigarettes for someone younger who is affected by the ban? If not, how should we go about enforcing? Does the ban apply to tourists?  

Mr Giam mentioned that gains from existing measures have diminutive impact. That is not the case. We have made good progress in reducing smoking prevalence in Singapore. Our recent efforts include the Standardised Packaging measures, raising the Minimum Legal Age of smoking to 21 years old and raising tobacco taxes by 15% last year. Cessation support is also strengthened through Healthier SG. These efforts have continued to suppress smoking prevalence and we have achieved an all-time low of 9.2% in 2022. And it is still declining.

Hence, even as we study the feasibility of a Tobacco Cohort Ban, we will continue efforts to reduce smoking prevalence.

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