SINGAPORE — The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has taken enforcement action against the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in Singapore and seized 490 sets of e-cigarettes worth an estimated $25,000 from three peddlers over the last 3 months, according to a statement released today (April 21).

Boo Yee Fong, 32, who was handled the stiffest penalty to date for selling e-cigarettes, was fined $64,500 on 17 April. The other two peddlers, Chew Yew Yee, 36, and Lew Ying Ying, 29, were fined sums of $10,000 and $21,000 respectively.

All three peddlers, who purchased their illegal products separately from China, Italy and the United States, were convicted in Court and fined a total of S$95,500 for offering them for sale locally via numerous websites.

The statement added that a study conducted by the HSA in 2011 found poor correlation between the actual nicotine content and the labelled amount among different e-cigarette products. Despite e-cigarettes being marketed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarette smoking, as well as a method to quit smoking, the HSA added that there is no conclusive scientific evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in helping smokers quit tobacco use.

In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also stated that it does not support e-cigarettes as a legitimate form of therapy in helping smokers quit, as there is insufficient evidence to support the claim.

The government is also concerned that e-cigarettes could potentially be a gateway to developing a smoking habit, particularly among Singaporean youths.

From 2011 to date, the HSA has prosecuted eight people for selling e-cigarettes.