SINGAPORE (ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES) – More than SGD200,000 worth of electronic vapourisers 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-vapourisers.
Vaping is illegal in Singapore, and the possession, use and purchase of e-vapourisers 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-vapourisers that was discovered at a warehouse in Sungei Kadut.
It found 25 cartons containing around 5,000 e-vapourisers valued at approximately SGD110,000.
On the same day, HSA caught two men, aged 32 and 31, who came to collect the e-vapourisers. The men are assisting with investigations.
In the second case on March 1, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint uncovered around 4,800 e-vapourisers hidden among the cargo consignment in a lorry entering Singapore.
The e-vapourisers had an estimated value of SGD105,000.
The case was referred to HSA and the male driver of the lorry, aged 24, is assisting HSA with investigations.
In a joint statement, the authorities reminded the public that importing, distributing, selling or offering e-vapourisers and their components for sale is a crime.
Anyone convicted of the offence may be fined up to SGD10,000, or jailed up to six months, or both, for the first offence.
For subsequent offences, those convicted may be fined up to SGD20,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.
