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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) caught a peddler of e-vaporisers and related components operating out of a retail outlet in West Mall.

On Jan. 20, the HSA conducted an operation at a retail outlet in West Mall and a residence in Tampines. This led to the capture of the 36-year-old man, who sold prohibited electronic vaporisers (e-vaporisers) to students.

A total of more than 400 e-vaporisers and 350 components were seized from the two locations.

The total street values of all the items amount to more than S$11,000.

Acting on a tip-off

According to the HSA, a tip-off led to an in-depth surveillance and intelligence gathering of a retail outlet in West Mall selling prohibited e-vaporisers to students.

HSA launched a covert operation to catch the peddler operating from his workplace in the mall and storing the items in the shop and at his residence.

The 36-year-old man is currently assisting HSA in the investigations.

"HSA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions on those who conduct illegal activities such as the peddling of prohibited e-vaporisers to the general public, especially to youths and students," said HSA.

Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, the import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of imitation tobacco items is prohibited. Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence.

Subsequent offences can result in a fine of up to S$20,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both.

It is also an offence to purchase, use and possess imitation tobacco items. It can lead to a penalty of a S$2,000 fine per offence.

Top photos from HSA