27 vapes seized, 4 users fined in 4-day HSA, NEA raids in Tampines, CBD
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HSA officers conducting checks during a raid in Tampines on Sept 17.
ST PHOTO: NADINE CHUA
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SINGAPORE – In raids led by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) spanning four days, a total of 27 vapes and components were seized.
Four people, aged 24 to 43, were caught vaping and fined on the spot.
The raids, which were conducted by HSA and the National Environment Agency between Sept 15 and 18, took place in Tampines and the Central Business District.
The Straits Times was invited to observe one of the raids on the afternoon of Sept 17 in Tampines.
During the three-hour operation, plainclothes HSA enforcement officers patrolled the area outside Tampines Mall, Tampines 1, Century Square and Tampines bus interchange.
During the three-hour operation, plainclothes HSA enforcement officers patrolled the area outside Tampines Mall, Tampines 1, Century Square and Tampines bus interchange.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
A man who was walking outside CPF Tampines Building was caught vaping. HSA officers patted him down and asked if he had any other vapes or pods on him.
The 35-year-old was fined for possessing a vape.
Another man, aged 43, was also caught vaping.
A total of 18 vapes and components were seized on Sept 17.
Vapes seized during a raid in Tampines by HSA on Sept 17.
PHOTO: HSA
At an open pathway near Block 510 Tampines Central 1, three HSA officers approached two men and one woman, aged between 18 and 20, who were smoking. They were fined for underage smoking.
Their particulars were taken down, and they were asked to throw away their cigarettes in front of the officers.
Two men and one woman were fined for underage smoking and asked to throw away their cigarettes in front of the officers.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Those under 21 years old who are found smoking can be fined up to $300.
In 2021, the minimum legal age for purchasing, using and selling tobacco products was raised from 20 to 21 years old
Outside Century Square, a group of youngsters, aged 19 to 20, was found with cigarettes.
Two were caught for underage smoking, while one had contraband cigarettes.
HSA informed Singapore Customs, and its officers arrived to seize the contraband cigarettes.
Singapore Customs officers taking down particulars of the individual caught with contraband cigarettes.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
A total of nine people aged below 21 were caught for underage smoking.
The raids follow stiffer penalties imposed by the Government against vaping
These include vape abusers having to face increased fines of $500 for those under 18 and $700 for adults, up from $300 and $500 previously.
Those caught using vapes laced with etomidate, also known as Kpods, will be sent for mandatory rehabilitation.
Those caught using Kpods a second time will undergo mandatory supervision for six months, which includes drug testing and rehabilitation.
Kpod users caught for the third time or more will be detained in a drug rehabilitation centre for treatment. They must also undergo drug testing and supervision for a year.
Those under 16 face mandatory supervision and drug testing for a year.
The public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, or online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
