Enhancing Penalties for Suppliers of E-cigarettes

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider enhancing the penalties for suppliers of e-cigarettes to better deter the sales of such items in Singapore.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, any person who is convicted of selling, offering for sale, possessing for sale, importing or distributing e-vaporisers, is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for up to six months or to both for the first offence, and to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for up to 12 months or to both, for the second or subsequent offence.

The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the trends of e-vaporiser use and holistically reviewing the strategy against vaping, including legislated penalties, enforcement, deterrent and education measures, to reduce both demand and supply of e-vaporisers. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to curb and prevent e-vaporiser use.