Six tobacco retailers which sold cigarettes to minors under the age of 18 have been suspended from selling tobacco products for six months, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a statement yesterday.
The suspensions started taking effect between July and last month.
Among those hit by the penalty are two 7-Eleven outlets at 639 Punggol Drive and 319A Anchorvale Drive.
The other retail outlets whose tobacco licences have been suspended are SM Mart in Teban Gardens Road, Ibrahim Trading in Commonwealth Avenue West, Gui Bin Minimart in Bukit Batok Street 22, and Big Retail Supermarkets in Choa Chu Kang North 5.
The authority caught the errant retailers via ground surveillance and enforcement activities to deter the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors under 18.
It said the six did not ask for identification to check the buyers' ages.
The retail staff claimed that they were too busy or that the minors looked older than their ages.
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79
Number of tobacco retail licences suspended by the HSA since 2015.
11
Number of licences revoked in the same period.
18
Number of people caught giving or furnishing a tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 since 2015.
In one case, one of the shops was caught selling tobacco to a minor, aged 17, who was buying the product for a 14-year-old.
"Sellers take the risk of contravening the laws if they assess age by mere physical appearance of the buyer," said the HSA.
Tobacco retailers are reminded that they are responsible for all transactions of tobacco products taking place at their outlets, as well as the actions of their employees, the authority added.
The minimum legal age to use, possess or buy tobacco products will be raised to 19 next year.
This will then be increased to 20 in 2020, and 21 from 2021.
Under current laws, anyone convicted of selling tobacco products to a minor below the age of 18 can be fined up to $5,000 for the first offence.
Repeat offenders will face a fine of up to $10,000.
In addition, the tobacco retail licence for the seller will be suspended for six months for the first offence, and revoked for the second offence.
However, if buyers are minors dressed in school uniform or below 12 years old, the outlet's retail licence will be revoked, even for the first offence.
Since 2015, the HSA has suspended 79 retail licences and revoked 11 others.
The public is reminded not to supply any tobacco products to under-18 minors, the HSA said.
Anyone convicted of buying or acquiring any tobacco product for minors can be fined up to $2,500 for the first offence, and up to $5,000 for subsequent offences.
Meanwhile, anyone convicted of giving or furnishing any tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 can face a fine of up to $500 for the first offence and $1,000 for subsequent offences.
Since 2015, 18 individuals have been caught for such offences.
Members of the public who have information on the illegal sale or supply of tobacco products to minors can call the Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 during office hours, the HSA said.
