Singapore Health Authority Cracks down on Illegal E-cigarette Smuggling

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Apr.10.2024
Singapore Health Authority Cracks down on Illegal E-cigarette Smuggling
Singapore Health Sciences Authority seized over 81,000 e-cigarettes and accessories worth over $1.1 million in Woodlands industrial area.

According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao on April 9, the Singapore Health Sciences Authority discovered over 81,000 various types of e-cigarettes and accessories in the Woodlands Industrial Estate. The black market value is estimated to be over 1.1 million Singapore dollars (818,114 US dollars). Five individuals (aged 19 to 39) are currently assisting with the investigation by the Health Sciences Authority.

 

In recent years, the problem of e-cigarette abuse in Singapore has become increasingly serious. Despite the government's ban on such products, the number of people arrested last year for possession or use of e-cigarettes increased by 60% compared to the previous year. The Health Sciences Authority has conducted several large-scale raids throughout the country in the first quarter of this year, successfully seizing e-cigarettes and accessories worth over $7 million Singapore dollars ($5.2 million USD).

 

On January 17th, the police arrested two black market e-cigarette vendors. Subsequently, following leads, the police discovered that all their goods actually originated from a warehouse located in Ulu Tiram.

 

According to The Straits Times, on January 20, the media personally visited a warehouse that had been sealed by the police for storing e-cigarettes. The warehouse is located in a high-rise building in the industrial area of Woodlands Close. It wasn't until April 9 (Tuesday) that the Health Sciences Authority further disclosed more information about this warehouse.

 

It is worth mentioning that in addition to finding a large number of unopened e-cigarette products in the warehouse, a large quantity of e-cigarette accessories were also stored there.

 

Additionally, in the six-month period from October of last year to March of this year, 34 individuals have been convicted for illegal sale of e-cigarettes. Among them, a 22-year-old man was sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined 16,000 yuan for selling e-cigarettes and their accessories, the longest sentence handed down in such cases.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Altria’s Nicotine Pouch Rollout in the U.S.: On! PLUS May Launch on October 14, Not Yet FDA-Approved
Altria’s Nicotine Pouch Rollout in the U.S.: On! PLUS May Launch on October 14, Not Yet FDA-Approved
Altria’s new nicotine pouch On! PLUS™ is slated to launch in the U.S. on October 14, debuting in North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. The product uses NICOSILK™ technology and will offer multiple nicotine strengths. FDA approval has not yet been granted, but Helix says it is proceeding in line with compliance requirements.
Oct.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Chicago CBP Seizes $358,000 Worth of Illegal Vapes
U.S. Chicago CBP Seizes $358,000 Worth of Illegal Vapes
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Chicago seized 43,200 illicit vaping products valued at over $358,000 for violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The shipment originated from China and was destined for Mississippi.
Nov.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris International Raises Dividend by 8.9% to an Annualized $5.88 per Share
Philip Morris International Raises Dividend by 8.9% to an Annualized $5.88 per Share
Philip Morris International (PMI) has increased its quarterly dividend from $1.35 to $1.47 per share, bringing the annualized dividend to $5.88. Since listing in 2008, PMI has raised its dividend for 17 consecutive years. The company continues to accelerate its “smoke-free future” strategy: in the first half of 2025, smoke-free products contributed 41% of net revenues, with over 41 million adult consumers using PMI’s smoke-free products globally.
Sep.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
EU to Abstain from WHO Tobacco Treaty Vote Amid Deep Internal Split
EU to Abstain from WHO Tobacco Treaty Vote Amid Deep Internal Split
The European Union will abstain from voting at the upcoming 11th session of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP11) in Geneva, following months of internal disagreement over how to regulate tobacco and nicotine products. The decision marks a rare and public fracture in EU health policy, reportedly driven by the European Commission’s hardline anti-tobacco stance.
Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesia’s Statistics Agency: Bali Leads Nation in E-Cigarette Use; Urban Usage Climbing Sharply
Indonesia’s Statistics Agency: Bali Leads Nation in E-Cigarette Use; Urban Usage Climbing Sharply
Indonesia’s statistics agency (BPS) reports in its latest publication, Statistics of People’s Welfare 2025, that Bali has the highest share of daily e-cigarette users at 1.66%, followed by East Kalimantan (1.59%) and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (1.24%). Daily vaping prevalence is higher in urban areas (0.77%) than in rural areas (0.53%).
Oct.16
Portugal to Tax Nicotine Pouches from 2026 at €0.065 per Gram
Portugal to Tax Nicotine Pouches from 2026 at €0.065 per Gram
Portugal’s 2026 State Budget adds nicotine pouches to the IEC by inserting Article 104-D into the Excise Code’s tobacco chapter. A specific duty of €0.065/g applies from 2026, with rounding to whole grams. The Budget also defines pouches (natural nicotine, up to 12 mg, tobacco-free, oral mucosal absorption). Lusa projects €1.676B in tobacco excise for 2026; combined levies near €1.993B.
Oct.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai