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Licence of tobacco retailer revoked for selling cigarettes to 11-year-old

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has revoked the tobacco licence of two retailers for selling cigarettes to underage customers.

Enforcement officers caught an employee of Sunshine Trading Centre at 536 Upper Serangoon Road selling the product to an 11-year-old without checking his age. The shop has not been allowed to sell tobacco products since Sept 1.

In a second case, Ghee Huat Provision Shop at 45 Bendemeer Road had its licence suspended for six months when an employee was caught selling cigarettes to a 14-year-old. The sellers in both cases were convicted in court and fined $2,000 each.

Anyone caught selling tobacco products to minors below the age of 18 can be fined up to $5,000 for the first offence and up to $10,000 for subsequent offences. Outlets found selling tobacco products to minors in school uniforms or those below 12 years of age will have their tobacco licence revoked.

Minors caught using, buying or possessing tobacco products can be fined up to $300. From January to August this year, 3,651 minors were caught for such offences, as compared to 5,759 for the whole of last year.

Those with information on the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors or that of minors smoking may call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 during office hours, or e-mail HSA_TRB@hsa.gov.sg

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