HSA Nabs 18-year-old Male for Selling E-vaporisers at a Playground

On 27 November 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted an operation at a Toa Payoh HDB playground and apprehended an 18-year-old male red handed trying to sell an e-vaporiser to a 13-year-old boy. HSA had received a tip-off that the 18-year-old had been seen selling e-vaporisers at the playground.

2        As part of investigations, HSA conducted a search of the 18-year-old’s residence at Toa Payoh and found more than 700 e-vaporisers and its related components, with an estimated street value of $15,400. These products have been seized and the 18-year-old male is currently assisting HSA in investigations.

3        HSA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions on those who conduct illegal activities such as the peddling of prohibited e-vaporisers to members of the public, especially to youths and students. On 23 November, a 36-year-old male who worked at West Mall was fined $13,700 for selling e-vaporisers and their components to students in the area.

Penalties for such offences in Singapore    

4        HSA would like to remind the public that it is an offence[1] to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components. Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence. All prohibited tobacco items will also be seized and confiscated.

Consumer advisory

5           Members of the public are reminded that the possession, use or purchase of e-vaporisers is illegal and carries a maximum fine of $2000. Information pertaining to prohibited tobacco products in Singapore is available on the HSA website and more details about the harms of e-vaporisers can be found in this HealthHub article.

6        Members of the public who have information on the illegal import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of e-vaporisers can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday).

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
1 DECEMBER 2023

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[1] This offence falls under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.

Consumer, Healthcare professional, Industry member, Tobacco control
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