HSA Revokes Tobacco Retail Licence of Retailer Caught Selling E-vaporisers

On 15 August 2024, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) raided Real Mate Mini-Mart, which was licensed as a tobacco retail outlet, at Selegie Road for the illegal possession and sale of electronic vaporisers (e-vaporisers) (see photo of minimart in the Annex).

2        The owner of the minimart was a 34-year-old man. In addition to the detection of illegal e-vaporisers in the premises, a 24-year-old female cashier was caught selling e-vaporisers and another 17-year-old female cashier was found in possession of an e-vaporiser. HSA officers also found some duty-unpaid cigarettes which were referred to Singapore Customs.

3        Further investigations by HSA found more e-vaporisers at a mobile shop at Geylang, also owned by the minimart owner, and at his residence at Tampines. Over 120 e-vaporisers and components were seized from the three locations. The minimart owner and the two cashiers are assisting in investigations.

4        HSA has immediately revoked the tobacco retail licence of Real Mate Mini-Mart while investigations are ongoing. HSA takes a serious view of such offences and will not hesitate to take strong enforcement actions against tobacco retailers and sellers of illegal e-vaporisers who flout the law.

Penalties for such offences in Singapore    

5        HSA would like to remind the public and tobacco retailers that it is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 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.

6        The purchase, use and possession of e-vaporisers is prohibited and carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Information pertaining to prohibited tobacco products in Singapore is available on the HSA website and details about the harms of e-vaporisers can be found in this HealthHub article.

7        Members of the public who have information on the illegal promotion, 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
27 AUGUST 2024

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Consumer, Healthcare professional, Industry member, Tobacco control
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