Singapore Seized More Than 350,000 E-cigarette Products in June, With A Value Of More Than US$4 Million

Singapore seized more than 350,000 e-cigarette products in June, with a value of more than US$4 million

Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized more than 350,000 e-cigarette products worth more than S$6 million (about US$4.44 million) in raids in June, cracking down on one of the country's largest e-cigarette distribution networks. The agency also found and processed 14 e-cigarette products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

 

According to Channel News Asia on July 4, the Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said that more than 350,000 e-cigarette products were seized in raids in various places in June.

 

These e-cigarette products have a black market value of more than S$6 million (about US$4.44 million) and were originally planned to be sold through Telegram.

 

The HSA said that in raids at three different locations from June 14 to 18, it successfully cracked down on "one of the largest" e-cigarette distribution networks in Singapore.

 

The authorities received information on June 14 that a large number of e-cigarettes and components were found in a warehouse in Woodlands Loop.

Two more raids followed, at a condominium unit in Guillemard Crescent on the same day, and at a warehouse unit in Woodlands Industrial Park on June 18. More vaping products were also found at both locations, the HSA said.

 

In addition, 14 e-cigarettes suspected of containing the controlled drug tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were found and have been handed over to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). Four men and women aged between 34 and 52 are assisting the HSA and CNB with their investigations.

 

The HSA said more than S$18 million (US$13.32 million) worth of vaping products have been seized since January. Authorities warned that it is illegal to import, distribute, sell or advertise vaping products.

 

Those convicted of importing, distributing or selling e-cigarette products for the first time can be fined up to S$10,000 (US$7,401), jailed for up to six months, or both; for second and subsequent convictions, the maximum fine can be up to S$20,000 (US$14,802), jailed for up to 12 months, or both; buying, using and possessing e-cigarettes is illegal, with a maximum fine of S$2,000 (US$1,480).

 

Last year, Singapore authorities handled about 8,000 e-cigarette-related offenses, a 43% increase from 5,600 in 2022. A total of 7,600 offenses were recorded in 2021.

 

In December last year, authorities said they would strengthen inspections of e-cigarettes and their components at Singapore's border checkpoints and increase crackdowns on e-cigarette smokers in "public hotspots" areas.

 

From January 1 to March 31, more than 2,200 people were found using or possessing e-cigarettes.

 

In May, Rahayu Mahzam, senior parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Health, said the HSA was reviewing legal penalties to strengthen deterrence against e-cigarette advertising, importation and distribution.

 

She added that the HSA has been monitoring illegal e-cigarette sales on social media, e-commerce and messaging platforms, and taking action to remove e-cigarette-related content.