Press Releases
HSA Revokes / Suspends the Licences of Errant Tobacco Retailers Caught Selling Tobacco to Underage Youth
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Others
28 November 2012
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Between July and November 2012, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has revoked the licence of 1 errant tobacco retailer and suspended the licences of 9 other tobacco retailers for selling tobacco to underage youth. In total, over the period of January to November 2012, 3 tobacco licences have been revoked and 22 tobacco licences have been suspended.
Retailer's licence revoked
2 Eng Kee Chye Huat (operating under outlet name “Huat Hong Holding Pte Ltd”), a tobacco retail outlet at Marsiling Lane, will no longer be allowed to sell tobacco products from 28 November 2012 as its licence has been revoked. The operator of the outlet was caught by HSA inspectors for blatantly selling cigarettes to a 16 year old youth in school uniform on 6 January 2012. Besides having its licence revoked, the errant seller of the above outlet was also convicted in Court and fined $2,000.
Retailers' licences suspended
3 HSA has also suspended 9 other tobacco retail outlets for 6 months, in July, August and November 2012, for selling tobacco products to underage youth. The sellers who were working in these retail outlets and were found guilty of the offence were also individually convicted and fined. These actions are part of HSA's routine surveillance and enforcement activities to curb the illegal sale of tobacco products to underage youth.
Messages to retailers and the public
4 HSA reminds tobacco retailers that they are responsible for all transactions of tobacco products taking place at their outlets, as well as for the actions of their employees. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, anyone caught selling tobacco products to persons below the age of 18 is liable, on conviction in Court, to a maximum fine of up to $5,000 for the first offence and up to $10,000 for the second or subsequent offence. In addition, the tobacco retail licence will also be suspended for 6 months for the first offence and revoked for the second offence. However, if any outlet is found selling tobacco products to underage youth in school uniform or those below 12 years of age, the tobacco retail licence will immediately be revoked, even for the first offence.
5 HSA also takes a serious view of underage youth smoking. Anyone below the age of 18 who is caught for using, buying or having in his possession tobacco products is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $300. We will continue to enforce these prohibitions stringently, so as to curb access and use of tobacco by underage youth.
6 Members of the public can view the updated List of Suspended / Revoked Tobacco Retailers at: https://www-hsa-gov-sg-admin.cwp.sg/tobacco-regulation/suspended-revoked-licences.
7 HSA also encourages members of the public who have information on the illegal sales of tobacco products to underage youth to call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 66842036 or 66842037 during office hours.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
28 NOVEMBER 2012
SINGAPORE