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, the authority and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that the two cases involved the seizure of almost 10,000 e-vaporisers.
Vaping is illegal in Singapore, and the possession, use and purchase of e-vaporisers and their related products have been banned in Singapore 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 around 5,000 e-vaporisers valued at approximately $110,000.
On the same day, HSA caught two men, aged 32 and 31, who came to collect the e-vaporisers. The men are assisting with investigations.
In the second case on March 1, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint uncovered around 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 male driver of the lorry, aged 24, is assisting HSA 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 the offence may be fined up to $10,000, or jailed up to six months, or both, for the first offence.
For subsequent offences, those convicted may be fined up to $20,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.
Those who have information on the illegal promotion, import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of any e-vaporisers can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays.
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Thanks for sharing!