Over $200,000 of vapes seized by HSA in 2 cases over 2 days
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Almost 10,000 e-vaporisers were seized on Feb 28 and March 1, and three men are assisting with investigations.
PHOTOS: HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – More than $200,000 worth of electronic vaporisers meant for sale were seized by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Feb 28 and March 1.
In a joint statement on March 24, HSA and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that the two cases involved the seizure of almost 10,000 e-vaporisers.
Vaping is illegal in Singapore. The possession, use and purchase of e-vaporisers and their related products have been banned here since February 2018.
In the first case on Feb 28, HSA had investigated a shipment of e-vaporisers that was discovered at a warehouse in Sungei Kadut.
It found 25 cartons containing about 5,000 e-vaporisers valued at approximately $110,000.
On the same day, HSA caught two men, aged 31 and 32, who went to collect the e-vaporisers. The men are assisting with investigations.
In the second case on March 1, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint uncovered about 4,800 e-vaporisers hidden among the cargo consignment in a lorry entering Singapore.
The e-vaporisers had an estimated value of $105,000.
The case was referred to HSA, and the driver of the lorry, a 24-year-old man, is assisting with investigations.
In the first case on Feb 28, HSA had investigated a shipment of e-vaporisers that was discovered at a warehouse in Sungei Kadut.
PHOTOS: HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
In a joint statement, the authorities reminded the public that it is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components.
Anyone convicted of doing so may be fined up to $10,000, or jailed for up to six months, or both, for the first offence.
For subsequent offences, those convicted may be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both.
Those who have information on the illegal promotion, import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of e-vaporisers can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays.
