HSA Suspends Licence of Recalcitrant Tobacco Retailer for Six Months

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has suspended the licence of a tobacco retailer, M/s Top Express Trading at 30 Woodlands Avenue 2 #01-02 Woodlands MRT Station for six months from 1 August 2009 to 31 January 2010.

2  An employee of the said outlet was caught selling tobacco products to a person below the age of 18 on 3 June 2009. He was compounded for $2,000 for the offence.

3  This is the 2nd time an employee of this outlet has been caught selling tobacco products to underage persons. As such, HSA has suspended the store's retailer licence for six months.

4  HSA reminds all tobacco retailers that they are responsible for all transactions of tobacco products carried out by their outlets as well as for the actions of their employees. It is an offence under the Smoking (Control of Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco) Act to sell tobacco products to persons below the age of 18. The offence is punishable with a maximum fine of up to $5,000 for the first conviction and up to $10,000 for the second or subsequent conviction. The tobacco retail licences are also liable for suspension or revocation should the licensees and/or their employees repeat the offence.

5  HSA takes a serious view on smoking by underage persons, and consequently, the illegal sale of tobacco products to such underage persons. We will continue to enforce this prohibition stringently so as to discourage and prevent the illegal sale of tobacco products to the underaged.

6  Members of the public can view the List of Suspended Tobacco Retailers at: https://www.hsa.gov.sg/tobacco-regulation/suspended-revoked-licences. 

7  HSA also encourages members of the public who have information on the illegal sale of tobacco products to call the hotline of its Tobacco Regulation Unit at Tel: 62138930 or 62138931 during office hours.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
29 JULY 2009

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