Parklane mall minimart stripped of tobacco licence after raid uncovers sale of vapes in first such case

SINGAPORE — A minimart at Parklane Shopping Mall has had its tobacco retail licence revoked for selling vape products in the first case of its kind in Singapore, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Tuesday (Aug 27).
The retailer, Real Mate Mini-Mart, was raided on Aug 15 over the illegal possesion and sale of e-vaporisers.
A 24-year-old female cashier was caught selling e-vaporisers, while another 17-year-old cashier had an e-vaporiser in her possession. 
HSA officers found vape products as well as some duty-unpaid cigarettes during the raid along Selegie Road. The contrabrand cigarettes were referred to Singapore Customs.
The authority found more e-vaporisers at the minimart owner’s residence at Tampines and at a mobile shop in Geylang that he owned.
More than 120 vape products were seized from the three locations, it said, adding that the owner, a 34-year-old man, and both cashiers are assisting with investigations. 
In response to CNA’s query, HSA said Real Mate Mini-Mart is the first tobacco retailer to have its tobacco retail licence revoked for selling vapes.
“HSA takes a serious view of such offences and will not hesitate to take strong enforcement actions against tobacco retailers and sellers of illegal e-vaporisers who flout the law,” it added. 
The authority warned that it is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components. 
Those convicted for the first time over importing, distributing or selling vape products can face a fine of up to S$10,000, jailed for up to six months or both. 
Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to S$20,000 or both. 
The purchase, use and possession of vapes is illegal and carries a maximum fine of S$2,000. 
Last year, Singapore authorities handled around 8,000 vaping-related offences, a 43 per cent jump from the figure of 5,600 in 2022. A total of 7,600 offences were recorded in 2021.  
In December last year, the authorities said they would step up checks at Singapore’s border checkpoints for e-vaporisers and their components, and at “public hotspots” to catch vapers. 
From Jan 1 to March 31, more than 2,200 people were found using or owning vapes.
In May, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rahayu Mahzam also said HSA was reviewing legal penalties to strengthen deterrence against the advertising, importation and distribution of e-vaporisers.
She added HSA has been monitoring illicit sales of vape products on social media, e-commerce and messaging platforms, as well as carrying out operations to remove e-vaporiser content. CNA
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