Press Releases
Joint Efforts By HSA and ICA - Five Peddlers and More Than $60,000 Worth of Electronic Vaporiser Related Items Netted
Audiences
Consumer
Product type
Tobacco control
6 February 2020
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On 23 January 2020, vigilant Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint detected over 2,000 electronic vaporisers (e-vaporisers), e-vaporiser cartridges and bottled e-liquids concealed in various compartments of an arriving car. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) was alerted.
2 HSA enforcement officers conducted further investigations and apprehended five peddlers aged between 20 and 27 years old, who were awaiting the delivery of the banned items at the eastern part of Singapore. More e-vaporiser related items were found in their residences and all five subjects are currently assisting HSA in investigations.
3 The total seizure comprised 4,000 e-vaporiser related items with an estimated street value of more than $60,000.
Penalties for such offences in Singapore
4 HSA takes a very serious view of the smuggling and peddling of e-vaporisers which are banned in Singapore, and will continue to work with relevant agencies to clamp down on such activities. Offenders can be fined up to $10,000 or jailed up to six months or both for the first offence, and fined up to $20,000 or jailed up to 12 months or both for subsequent offences.
5 The purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are also prohibited. This includes purchases made through the Internet and from overseas. Any person who is convicted is liable to a fine of up to $2,000.
Consumer advisory
6 Members of the public who have information on illegal activities involving e-vaporisers can contact the Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday).
7 Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains ICA’s top priority. The same methods of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore. ICA will continue to conduct security checks on passengers, cargos and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands across our borders.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
6 FEBRUARY 2020