Press Releases
27 Persons Investigated, More than 600kg of Smokeless Tobacco Seized in Joint Operations
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Tobacco control
11 July 2024
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27 persons, aged 24 to 77, are assisting with investigations for peddling and possession of smokeless tobacco products and other property offences, in Little India and its vicinity. More than 600kg of smokeless tobacco with an estimated street value of over $100,000 was seized during the joint operations by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) held from 15 May to 30 June 2024.
2 Enforcement officers uncovered smokeless tobacco hidden in various places, including under drain covers, inside rubbish bins and electrical boxes along Chander and Veerasamy Road. Please refer to the Annex in the pdf for photos of the seized products.
Smokeless tobacco is strictly prohibited in Singapore
3 Smokeless tobacco is prohibited in Singapore and refers to tobacco that is used without being burned, such as chewing tobacco, snuff and snus. These products contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals and have been reported to cause cancer and oral health problems. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, any person convicted of an import, distribution, sale or offer for sale offence for smokeless tobacco is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment for up to six months or to both, for the first offence and a fine not exceeding $20,000, or to imprisonment for up to 12 months or to both, for subsequent offences.
4 Any person convicted of possession, purchase and use of smokeless tobacco is liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000. The public is reminded not to purchase or bring smokeless tobacco products into Singapore.
5 HSA takes a serious view of such offences and will not hesitate to take stern action on such offenders. HSA will continue to collaborate with partner enforcement agencies to curb the peddling of such products.
6 Members of the public who have information on the prohibited sale of smokeless tobacco 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 POLICE FORCE
11 JULY 2024