Singapore to Strengthen Regulations on E-cigarette Advertising and Distribution

According to a report by Singaporean media CNA on May 8th, Rahayu Mahzam, the Senior Administrative Secretary of the Singapore Ministry of Health, stated during a parliamentary session on Wednesday that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is reviewing legislation to strengthen regulations on the advertising, import, and distribution of e-cigarettes.

During her speech in parliament, Laha You mentioned that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has been monitoring and clearing illegal e-cigarette sales on social media, e-commerce platforms, and instant messaging platforms.

Rahayu emphasized that the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act bans e-cigarette advertising. However, like all domestic laws, this legislation also applies to content related to e-cigarettes published in Singapore or by individuals or entities in Singapore.

The Internet and social media form a global ecosystem, and although Singaporean laws prohibit harmful content or advertisements, it does not mean that these contents and ads cannot come from foreign sources or foreign influencers.

Laha listed some measures that have already been implemented.

Social media and e-commerce platforms are obligated to review and actively remove any e-cigarette-related content targeting residents of Singapore under the Tobacco Clearing Act. If any platform is found to be negligent in detecting and removing e-cigarette-related content, they will face enforcement action.

In March, the Health Sciences Authority issued warning notices to 16 social media and e-commerce platforms, reminding them that their content related to e-cigarettes was in violation of relevant laws. Additionally, under the Online Safety Practices Guidelines, the Infocomm Media Development Authority required "influential" social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to minimize user exposure to harmful content to the greatest extent possible.

It has been reported that in 2023, Singapore dealt with approximately 8,000 cases of illegal activities related to e-cigarettes, a 43% increase from the 5,600 cases recorded in 2022. E-cigarettes are explicitly prohibited in Singapore, and individuals found to be in possession, using, or purchasing e-cigarettes can face fines of up to 2,000 Singapore dollars (1,478 US dollars). Those involved in the import, distribution, or sale of such products may face even harsher penalties, including higher fines and potential imprisonment.