Faishal Ibrahim, parliamentary secretary for the health ministry, told a legislative session that a ban on new licences for shisha imports and sales would come into force this month.
Existing importers and retailers will be given until July 2016 to shift to other businesses.
"In view of the health risks associated with shisha smoking and to prevent the proliferation and entrenchment of shisha smoking in Singapore, my ministry intends to prohibit the import, distribution and sale of shisha," Faishal told lawmakers.
Faishal said government surveys showed the proportion of students using alternative tobacco products had increased from two percent in 2009 to nine percent in 2012.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
