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2,530 people caught for possession, use of e-vaporisers as authorities step up enforcement efforts

LaksaNews

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SINGAPORE: About 2,530 people were caught for the possession or use of electronic vaporisers in Singapore between Apr 1 and Jun 30 amid stepped-up enforcement efforts, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Thursday (Aug 1).

This is a 30 per cent increase from the 1,950 people who were caught in the previous quarter from Jan 1 to Mar 31, MOH and HSA said in a joint press release.

"An intensified multi-agency effort to protect our population from the harmful effects of electronic vaporisers has yielded results," they said.

The offenders were caught at "hotspots" such as the central business district, entertainment outlets and around shopping centres.

During the same period, discipline personnel in schools also referred about 690 students to HSA for the use or possession of e-vaporisers. These students were handed fines.

"Enforcement operations conducted in the vicinity of institutes of higher learning during the same period caught around 40 individuals in similar acts," MOH and HSA said.

Since March 2024, students caught for vaping offences – including first-time offenders – have faced a fine of up to S$2,000 (US$1,495), in line with the penalties for buying, possessing and using e-vaporisers. Prior to that, students caught vaping were largely dealt with by their schools.

"To prevent vaping from being entrenched in the population, the Ministry of Health, Health Sciences Authority and Health Promotion Board will continue to work with the Ministry of Education, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), National Environment Agency and National Parks Board to step up enforcement on multiple fronts, including in the community, schools and institutes of higher learning, at the checkpoints and online," MOH and HSA said.

Related:​


RAIDS ON SUPPLIERS AND SELLERS​


Several major raids have been conducted against e-vaporiser suppliers in recent months, MOH and HSA said.

On Apr 24, HSA seized e-vaporisers and related components with a street value of more than S$5 million from a Woodlands Industrial Park warehouse unit.

Two Thai nationals, men aged 22 and 30, were arrested at the warehouse and on Jul 18 convicted of possessing and selling imitation tobacco products as well as immigration-related offences.

They were both sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment and fined S$9,000 and S$7,000 respectively.

Between Jun 14 and Jun 18, HSA also seized over 350,000 e-vaporisers and components with a street value of more than S$6 million in raids at three different locations.

Two men and two women aged between 34 and 52 were apprehended in connection with the haul.

On Jul 8, HSA also disrupted an e-vaporiser distribution network that involved over 17,000 e-vaporisers and components with a street value of S$200,000 that had been meant for sale on messaging app Telegram.

The network was disrupted through raids carried out at Jalan Kilang Timor, Toh Guan Road and Anchorvale Drive over a 24-hour period. Two men, aged 30 and 44, are currently assisting with investigations.

"During the same period, HSA also worked with the administrators of the local e-commerce and social media platforms to take down more than 2,000 listings of e-vaporisers and components such as pods and refills," MOH and HSA said.

"This came on the back of Letters of Notice sent to local e-commerce and social media platforms in March 2024, to remind them of their obligations to prevent the advertisement and sale of e-vaporisers on their platforms."

A total of six people aged between 24 and 36 were convicted in court of selling e-vaporisers and related components between Apr 1 to Jun 30. They were fined a total of more than S$51,000.

Related:​


ENFORCEMENT AT CHECKPOINTS​


HSA also carried out several joint operations at Singapore's checkpoints with ICA between April and June, MOH and HSA said.

They said that HSA has been working closely with ICA to detect and deter attempts to smuggle e-vaporiser products through Singapore's borders.

The operations were conducted at the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints, Changi Airport, the Singapore Cruise Centre, Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and involved more than 5,000 travellers.

Of the 5,000, 19 were found to be in possession of e-vaporisers.

"It is illegal for travellers to bring prohibited tobacco products like e-vaporisers into Singapore. Travellers found with e-vaporisers or their components will be fined," MOH and HSA said.

"Transport companies and drivers bringing prohibited tobacco products into Singapore will be subjected to enforcement actions. Convicted foreigners will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore."

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