Supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice has already taken steps to comply with the Singapore tobacco display ban, to take effect next year.

FairPrice Xpress at Peace Centre is leading the way. It not only has removed all tobacco products from display, but it is piloting a cigarette machine that complies with the new law. It does not display any products or labels, and aims at making tobacco product sales easy and efficient. It also automatically tracks inventory.

“We have been actively exploring options to meet customer needs while ensuring compliance,” says CEO Seah Kian Peng, describing the pilot system as an industry first for Singapore.

After three months, FairPrice will assess the system’s feasibility with a view to rolling it out for both convenience and supermarket stores.

NTUC Fairprice Co-operative was founded by the labour movement in 1973, with a social mission to moderate the cost of living in Singapore. From one supermarket, it has grown to become Singapore’s largest retailer serving at least half a million shoppers daily with a network of more than 120 outlets.