The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted a surprise raid on Real Mate Mini-Mart, a licensed tobacco retail outlet located on Selegie Road, uncovering illegal possession and sales of electronic vaporisers, known as e-vaporisers.
During the operation, HSA officers apprehended a 34-year-old owner of the mini-mart along with a 24-year-old female cashier who was actively selling e-vaporisers.
Additionally, a 17-year-old female cashier was found in possession of an e-vaporiser on site.
The authorities also discovered a quantity of duty-unpaid cigarettes, which were subsequently referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
In a follow-up investigation, HSA officers uncovered more illegal e-vaporisers at a mobile shop in Geylang, also owned by the mini-mart proprietor, as well as at his residence in Tampines.
In total, over 120 e-vaporisers and related components were seized from the three locations.
The HSA has moved swiftly to revoke Real Mate Mini-Mart’s tobacco retail licence, and the mini-mart owner along with the two cashiers are currently assisting in ongoing investigations.
“HSA takes a serious view of such offences and will not hesitate to take strong enforcement actions against tobacco retailers and sellers of illegal e-vaporisers who flout the law’, HSA said in its press release.
HSA warned tobacco retailers that it is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components.
Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence.
The purchase, use and possession of e-vaporisers is prohibited and carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Information pertaining to prohibited tobacco products in Singapore is available on the HSA website and details about the harms of e-vaporisers can be found in this HealthHub article.
Members of the public who have information on the illegal promotion, import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of e-vaporisers can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday).
Image via HSA
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