Singapore's Health and Science Department cracks down on e-cigarettes: more than 5,500 users arrested in half a year

Singapore's Health and Science Department cracks down on e-cigarettes: more than 5,500 users arrested in half a year

The Singapore Health Sciences Authority announced that 3,279 people were caught on the spot for using or possessing e-cigarettes in the second quarter of this year. Compared with 2,240 people in the first quarter, the second quarter increased by 46%. More than 5,500 people were arrested in the first half of the year. According to Singapore's Tobacco Act, importing, distributing or selling e-cigarettes is illegal.

According to Lianhe Zaobao on August 1, the Singapore Health Sciences Authority announced that 3,279 people were caught on the spot for using or possessing e-cigarettes in the second quarter of this year. Compared with 2,240 people in the first quarter, the second quarter increased by 46%. More than 5,500 people were arrested in the first half of the year.

According to the second quarter data, 2,530 people were arrested in the community (such as near public entertainment venues and shopping malls); 690 students were investigated and fined for using or possessing e-cigarettes. The authorities also launched operations near higher education institutions, and 40 people were found to own or use e-cigarettes.

At the checkpoints, the Health Sciences Authority and the Immigration Department launched a joint operation at Woodlands, Tuas Checkpoint and Changi Airport, checking more than 5,000 passengers, and 19 people were found to be in possession of e-cigarettes.

The authorities reminded that passengers are prohibited from bringing strictly prohibited tobacco products (such as e-cigarettes) into Singapore. Once discovered, they will face fines. Although the crackdown has been effective, in order to prevent the continued spread of e-cigarettes locally, cross-departmental and institutional cooperation will continue to launch multi-faceted actions in communities, schools, institutions of higher learning, and checkpoints.

In terms of educating the public and young people, the Singapore Health Promotion Board will continue to raise awareness of the dangers of e-cigarettes through various platforms and reiterate that e-cigarettes are prohibited items locally. In recent years, more and more students have been arrested for possessing or using e-cigarettes. The Health Promotion Board has provided various assistance to help students quit cigarettes and e-cigarettes. From April to June this year, nearly 400 young people participated in the quitting program for cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and about half of them successfully reduced or completely quit cigarettes and e-cigarettes after a month of counseling.

Singapore's Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung posted on Facebook on August 1 that he explained the harm of e-cigarettes in a video released on July 7, and called on the public, especially young people, to stay away from e-cigarettes and not to break the law. He stressed that the Ministry of Health and inter-departmental agencies will take a multi-pronged approach to combat e-cigarettes.

Ong Ye Kung revealed that the fines issued by the authorities for closing cases increased from 300 in January this year to 1,000 in June. He said he hoped to send a clear signal through this move.

According to Singapore's Tobacco Act, importing, distributing or selling e-cigarettes are all illegal. First-time offenders may face a fine of up to 10,000 Singapore dollars (about US$7,500) or up to six months in prison, or both. Repeat offenders will be fined up to 20,000 Singapore dollars (about US$15,000) or imprisoned for up to one year, or both. Those who possess, use and purchase e-cigarettes may be fined up to 2,000 Singapore dollars (about US$1,500).