Press Releases
Vaporiser Peddler Prosecuted and Fined a Record $99,000
Audiences
Consumer
Product type
Tobacco control
9 September 2019
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has prosecuted a Singaporean male on 9 September for the illegal online sale of electronic vaporisers[1].
2 The accused, Chong Weisheng, aged 35 was sentenced to a total fine of $99,000. This is the stiffest penalty imposed so far since 2014, where an offender was fined $64,500.
3 His unlawful activities were detected through HSA’s online surveillance and investigation. HSA inspectors had raided Chong’s flat at Gangsa Road in March 2015 as part of HSA’s ongoing efforts to deter the illegal peddling of electronic vaporisers in Singapore.
4 Investigations by HSA revealed that Chong had illegally purchased the prohibited products from various overseas suppliers to sell via an e-commerce website “huntersbrew.net”. He operated a local online business where he advertised and sold electronic vaporisers. Chong had come across news of HSA’s raids on electronic vaporiser peddlers and took extra measures to hide his illegal activities. He changed the website domain name twice to avoid detection. The third website had a security feature that required a password to be entered before the website could be accessed. Chong was also selective with his customers. All sale transactions were titled as “computer IT services” as a cover-up. Despite these measures, HSA managed to uncover his illegal activities and shut down his online business.
5 From 2014 to date, HSA has prosecuted 20 persons for selling electronic vaporisers.
Electronic vaporisers are strictly prohibited in Singapore
6 HSA would like to remind the public that it is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to sell, possess for sale, import or distribute electronic vaporisers.
7 Any person who is convicted is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for up to 6 months or to both for the first offence, and to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for up to 12 months or to both, for the second or subsequent offence.
8 In addition, since 1 February 2018, it is also an offence to possess, purchase or use electronic vaporisers. The penalty is a fine not exceeding $2,000.
9 Information pertaining to the prohibition of electronic vaporisers in Singapore is available on HSA’s website.
10 HSA encourages members of the public who have information on the illegal importation, distribution or sale of electronic vaporisers to call its Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday) or email hsa_trb@hsa.gov.sg.
11 For more information on the ban and harms of electronic vaporisers, please refer to MOH’s website.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
9 SEPTEMBER 2019
[1] Electronic vaporisers refer to battery-operated devices which deliver vaporised nicotine for users to inhale. They come in forms such as e-cigarettes, e-pipes, e-cigars and the like.