A Malaysian-registered truck attempting to smuggle over 8,000 e-cigarette products into Singapore was intercepted by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), according to a media report.
On October 18, an observant ICA officer at the Tuas checkpoint noticed irregularities in the scan images of a truck and ordered a thorough inspection. During the search, officers discovered 8,040 e-cigarette products, including brands like "Unplug," concealed inside flattened cardboard boxes.
The case has been handed over to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for further investigation.
Under Singapore’s Tobacco Control Act, the import, distribution, or sale of e-cigarettes is illegal. First-time offenders can face fines of up to SGD 10,000, six months in prison, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to SGD 20,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. Possession, use, or purchase of e-cigarettes can result in fines of up to SGD 2,000.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and HSA, between July and September 2024, 3,840 individuals were arrested for possessing or using e-cigarettes. In total, more than 9,300 people were arrested in the first three quarters of 2024, surpassing the total of 7,838 arrests in 2022.
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