Singapore blocks website selling e-cigarettes disguised as stationery

Oct.22.2024

Singapore blocks website selling e-cigarettes disguised as stationery after Malaysia reports fake products resembling popular brands.

Singapore has blocked a website selling e-cigarettes disguised as stationery products, following similar cases reported in Malaysia, according to a report in the Straits Times on 22 October.

The Public Health Malaysia Facebook page, run by a group of public health experts, posted photos on 3 October reminding parents and teachers to be wary of these e-cigarettes, which resemble popular stationery brands such as markers and glue sticks.

On October 21, the media outlet "The Straits Times" discovered that a website selling an e-cigarette resembling a highlighter and capable of delivering to Singapore is inaccessible.

A female spokesperson from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in Singapore responded to queries from the media by stating that they have collaborated with the Infocomm Media Development Authority to block access for Singapore residents to the Malaysian website.

The HSA is aware of a trend overseas where users are modifying the appearance of e-cigarettes to resemble everyday stationery items. We are monitoring these e-cigarettes.

The spokeswoman added that from January to September, the HSA removed more than 6,000 illegal e-cigarette-related posts. In addition, HSA is working with e-commerce websites and online platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Carousell to remove such content as soon as it is detected. She also stated that HSA will track any illegal e-cigarette-related activity on social media platforms and messaging apps.

References:

[1] Vapes disguised as stationery emerge in Malaysia; website selling items blocked in Singapore

Also Read:

[1] Malaysian Authorities Urged to Crack Down on E-Cigarette Sales

[2] Strengthening Enforcement of Smoke-Free Zones in Malaysia: Ministry of Health.

[3] ICA Foils Attempt to Smuggle 37,588 E-Cigarettes into Singapore

[4] Singapore Authorities Seize Smuggled E-Cigarettes at Woodlands Checkpoint

[5] Rising Concerns: E-Cigarette Usage Reported by Singaporean Taxi Drivers

[6] Singapore Health Sciences Authority Cracks Down on E-Cigarette Black Market

[7] Singapore Authorities Seize $3.71 Million Worth of Illegal E-Cigarettes

#Asia #Regulation #Singapore #Nicotine-free e-cigarettes

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