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No more e-cigarettes, shisha from Feb as new law kicks in

SINGAPORE — Smokers, take note. In six days, you have to discard any prohibited tobacco products that you may have in your possession.

SINGAPORE — Smokers, take note. In six days, you have to discard any prohibited tobacco products that you may have in your possession.

The first phase of the implementation of the amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA) will take place from Feb 1, where the prohibition on the purchase, use and possession of emerging and imitation tobacco products will come into force, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement on Friday (Jan 26).

Examples of these products include smokeless tobacco products, chewing tobacco and shisha, as well as vaporisers such as e-cigarettes, e-pipes and e-cigars.

Those who are caught purchasing, in the possession of, or using emerging and imitation tobacco products are liable to a fine not exceeding S$2,000, said the MOH.

The ministry added that those who are convicted for importing, selling, or distributing the prohibited products are — for the first offence — liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or imprisonment for up to six months or both.

Those who are convicted for the second or subsequent offence can be subjected to a fine not exceeding S$20,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.

The changes to the TCASA came after Members of Parliament last year called for even more stringent measures to lower the smoking rate.

Under the amended act, the MOH has increased the Minimum Legal Age (MLA) for tobacco from 18 to 21 progressively.

The MLA for the purchase, use, possession, sale and supply of tobacco products will first be raised from 18 to 19 years old on Jan 1 next year.

“The MLA will subsequently be raised to 20 on Jan 1, 2020, and to 21 on Jan 1, 2021,” said the MOH.

The ministry urged smokers to quit smoking to reduce the risk of smoking-related illnesses.

It added that individuals seeking to quit smoking should use methods that are proven safe and effective, such as going cold turkey, undergoing smoke cessation counselling and using licensed nicotine replacement therapies.

The MOH also urges members of the public who have information on the illegal importation, distribution or sales, purchase, use and possession of prohibited tobacco products to report to the Health Sciences Authority’s Tobacco Regulation Branch via telephone numbers 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday), or via email at hsa_trb [at] hsa.gov.sg.

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