HSA Updates
HSA Suspends Licences of Six Retailers and Fines Their Employees for Selling Tobacco to Under-18 Minors
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Tobacco control
31 December 2013
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has suspended the licences of six errant tobacco retailers for selling tobacco products, of which two – Marrakesh and My Turkish Corner – were caught selling shisha, to minors under 18 years of age. From 30 December, the six outlets will not be allowed to sell tobacco products for six months. In all the cases, the sellers caught were employees of the suspended outlets. They were convicted in Court and fined for their respective offences. (refer to Annex A for the list of retailers)
2 These errant sellers were caught as part of HSA's routine surveillance and enforcement activities to curb the illegal sale of tobacco products to under-18 minors.
3 HSA would like to caution 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.
4 In addition, the tobacco retail licence will 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 under-18 minors in school uniform or those below 12 years of age, the tobacco retail licence will be revoked, even at the first offence.
5 In 2013, 9 and 2 retailers had their licences suspended and revoked respectively for selling tobacco product to persons below 18 years old.
6 HSA also reminds the public not to supply any tobacco product to under-18 minors. Anyone caught buying or acquiring any tobacco product for a person below the age of 18 years, is liable on conviction in Court, to a maximum fine of up to $2,500 for the first offence and up to $5,000 for the second or subsequent offence. Similarly, anyone caught giving or furnishing tobacco product to a person below the age of 18, is liable on conviction in Court, to a maximum fine of up to $500 for the first offence and up to $1,000 for the second or subsequent offence.
7 Members of the public can view the updated List of Suspended / Revoked Tobacco Retailers here.
8 HSA urges members of the public who have information on the illegal sale of tobacco products to under-18 minors to call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 66842036 or 66842037 during office hours.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
31 December 2013