TODAY/CNA-Dec 19
As part of a multi-agency effort to clamp down on vaping, Singapore authorities will step up checks at air, land and sea checkpoints in the coming months, starting with Changi Airport. “Incoming passengers may be screened for e-vaporizers and their components at the arrival halls, and those found with e-vaporizers or their components will be fined,” said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a media release on Tuesday (Dec 19). Passengers carrying e-vaporizers must pass through the Red Channel, which is for people with goods to declare, so that they can dispose of the prohibited items. “Travellers who declare and surrender these items at the Red Channel will avoid penalties,” said MOH and HSA. They added that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will continue to conduct security checks to detect and deter smuggling attempts. Vaping is illegal in Singapore and offenders can be fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,490). Those who import, distribute or sell such products face stiffer penalties, including a possible jail term. But the number of people caught using and possessing vapes has been on the rise, with some school children picking up the habit.
Some users get their supply online from messaging applications such as Telegram, or when they go overseas. “We are therefore taking measures to protect our population and prevent vapes from taking hold in our society,” said MOH and HAS. Read more at: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-step-enforcement-against-vapes-changi-airport-and-other-checkpoints-2328866?cid=internal_mcdrecs_21122023_tdy#mdcrecs_s
