Press Releases
HSA Takes Enforcement Action Against Man Using Electronic Vaporiser in a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Train
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Tobacco control
25 February 2023
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA), with the assistance of the Singapore Police Force, has successfully identified and taken enforcement action against a man who was filmed using an e-vaporiser in the MRT cabin.
2 HSA was alerted to a STOMP article on 14 February 2023, which showed a video of a man using an e-vaporiser in the MRT cabin. On 22 Feb, HSA conducted a check at his residence. The 45-year-old Chinese man claimed that the e-vaporiser he used was a discarded e-vaporiser found on the streets and he has since thrown it away. After further investigations, he was issued with a composition fine for the illegal use of an e-vaporiser.
3 HSA takes a very serious view of the possession and use of banned e-vaporisers and related items and will take stern actions against any individuals who contravene the law. For this case, the man had blatantly flouted the law by using an e-vaporiser in plain sight of commuters on the train. His illegal act was featured in a STOMP article after a member of the public sent his vaping video to the STOMP Facebook page.
Penalties for such offences in Singapore
4 The purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are prohibited in Singapore under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. This includes purchases made through the Internet and from overseas. Offenders can be fined up to $2,000.
5 Under the Act, the import, distribution, possession for sale, sale or offer for sale of such products are also prohibited. Offenders can be fined up to $10,000 or jailed up to 6 months or both for the first offence and fined up to $20,000 or jailed up to 12 months or both for subsequent offences.
6 HSA will continue to work with relevant agencies to deter such activities and to take stern enforcement actions against offenders.
Consumer advisory
7 Information about the harms of e-vaporisers is available at HealthHub’s website (opens in new tab). Information pertaining to prohibited tobacco products in Singapore is available on the HSA website. Smokers who need help with quitting can call HPB’s tollfree Quitline at 1800-438-2000.
8 Members of the public who have information on illegal activities involving e-vaporisers and under-aged smokers can contact the 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
25 FEBRUARY 2023