In its effort to control smoking, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) is taking severalinitiatives includingbanningdisplayof tobacco products near cashier counters, said Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

"We want to reduce the advertising effect of point of sale displays, particularly on our youth.

"When tobacco products are no longer prominently displayed near the cashiers, it could decrease impulse purchases, and help smokers trying to quit," he said in Parliament today.

He said there will be a 12-month grace period to provide retailers enough time to comply.