The article :

” From 1 January 2009, all duty—paid cigarettes sold in Singapore will be marked with the letters “SDPC” to distinguish them from contraband cigarettes.

The letters “SDPC” stand for Singapore Duty—Paid Cigarette, and it is proof that the cigarette is legal.

This new requirement is part of Singapore Customs’ effort to curb the selling and buying of illegal cigarettes.

According to Singapore Customs, Singapore is the first country to implement this regulation.

From January next year, all unmarked cigarettes would be deemed duty—unpaid and illegal.

Anyone found buying, selling or smoking cigarettes without the “SDPC” marking could be jailed or fined. For every packet of duty—unpaid cigarettes, the offender can be fined S$500. ” – ChannelNewsAsia

 

What I think :

Oh My Goodness!! What Can I say?? Boy, do they have so much money, time and resources to mark every single cigarette stick with the “SDPC” mark which stands for Singapore Duty Paid Cigarette. You mean somebody will be asking to see your stick for closer inspection while you’re smoking just to make sure that its tax was paid?? All these hassle to snuff out sales and purchases of contraband cigarettes..

What a waste!!! I think if they use the money on their citizens much better… Or maybe, lower the absurd cigarette price! I bet that’ll kill all the sales of contraband cigarettes 100%… Oh well, I don’t think that they even think of the cost because of course the buyers will have to pay for it – I’m sure cigarette price will rise again in order to cover up the cost.

Why am I not surprised…

Yeo Ken How, a student from Bedok South Secondary, died when the car he drove crashed into a tree.
He did not have a valid driving license and is obviously underage. In Singapore, you have to be at least 18 years old to apply for a driving license.

Apparently, this was not his first time sneaking. On the first day of the one-week school break, he stole his brother’s blue Suzuki Swift for a drive. Unlike the other times, he was alone this time round. It was unfortunately his last joyride. At around 1.30pm, he lost control of the car and slammed into a tree along Bedok South Road, just 2km away from Ken How’s home at Bedok North. The impact was so hard that it killed him instantly. His body had to be extricated as the driver’s side was totally crushed.

Click for more details :
- Straits Times September 1st
- Straits Times September 2nd
- Photos

” “The second instalment of growth dividends, due on October 1, will increase by 50 per cent. We will also increase this year’s U-save rebates by 50 per cent,” he said. This will result in an extra S$250 million of financial assistance.

Road tax and car ownership charges have also been lowered to help the middle-income segment. While the recent increase in ERP charges have created some unhappiness, the overall cost of owning a car has actually come down.

The government will also review the HDB rental flat scheme to ensure that genuinely needy families have an effective safety net. While more Singaporeans have applied for such rental flats, Mr Lee noted that not all were truly in need. ” – Channel NewsAsia