HSA Suspends Errant Tobacco Retailers Caught Selling Tobacco to Underage Youth

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced the suspension of tobacco licenses of 14 errant tobacco sellers for selling tobacco to underage youth. These offenders were prosecuted and convicted between March and July 2011 and the licences of the respective tobacco retail outlets (listed below from S/n 1 to S/n 12) will be suspended for six months, from 1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012.

2      While two of the 14 licensees have cancelled their licences before suspension is to take effect, these two outlets (S/n 13 & 14) will not be able to sell tobacco products or apply for a new tobacco retail licence during the six months period.

Table 1 – List of Errant Tobacco Retailers

S/N	Name of Retail Outlet	Address of Retail Outlet	Date of offence	Court actions against seller	Punishment for retailers
1	Nabin Experience Arabia	27 Bali Lane	1-Feb-11	Fine of $1,500	6 months suspension (1 Sep 2011 to 29 Feb 2012)
2	Citizen Chinese Medical Hall and Stationery	Blk 21 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, #01-294	5-Feb-11	Fine of $2,000	As above
3	Koh Seng Hin	Blk 323 Bukit Batok Street 33, #01-112	9-Feb-11	As above	As above
4	Bao Zhuang	Blk 347 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 #01-2134	14-Feb-11	As above	As above
5	Fu Chan F & B Group Pte Ltd	Blk 145 Teck Whye Avenue, #01-151	4-Mar-11	Fine of $1,500	As above
6	Buzz Kiosk	Blk 514 Bishan Street 13, Bishan Business Interchange	4-Apr-11	As above	As above
7	AM PM Mart	Blk 515 Bedok North Avenue 2, #01-201	5-Apr-11	As above	As above
8	Venitha's Mini Mart	Blk 679 Jurong West Central 1, #01-01, Multi Storey Car Park	3-May-11	Fine of $2,500	As above
9	Vinoth Pte Ltd	Blk 101 Yishun Avenue 5, #01-61	6-May-11	As above	As above
10	Petir Kiosk	31 Petir Road, #01-K1, Petir LRT Station	16-May-11	As above	As above
11	M&L Minimart	Blk 433 Tampines Street 41, #01-75	1-Apr-11	Fine of $1,500	As above
12	NAJ Restaurant Bugis and Catering Service	490 North Bridge Road	16-Apr-11	Fine of $2,500	As above
13	Aleef Provision Shop*	Blk 256 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, #01-43	7-Apr-11	Fine of $1,500	As above
14	Weislin W Mart*	10 Choa Chu Kang Way, #01-K1, Teck Whye (LRT Stop)	4-May-11	Fine of $2,500	As above

* Cancelled the tobacco retailer license before suspension should take place

3      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. 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 six months for the 1st offence and revoked for the 2nd offence. However, if any outlet is found to sell 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 1st offence.

4      HSA takes a serious view on the use and illegal sales of tobacco products to underage persons. We will enforce this prohibition stringently, so as to prevent the illegal sales of tobacco products to underage youth.

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

6      HSA also encourages members of the public who have information on the illegal sales of tobacco products to underage persons to call the hotline of the Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 62138930 or 62138931 during office hours.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
31 AUGUST 2011

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Published: 31 Aug 2011

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