Wednesday, Nov 28, 2012
SINGAPORE - Tobacco retailer Eng Kee Chye Huat had its licence revoked after selling tobacco to underaged youth.
The shop, Huat Hong Holding Pte Ltd, at Marsiling Lane sold cigarettes blatantly to a 16-year-old youth in school uniform on Jan 6 this year and was caught by HSA inspectors. The seller was also fined $2,000.
Another nine retailers had their licences suspended between July and November this year. In this year, a total of three licences have been revoked, and 22 were suspended.
Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, anyone caught selling tobacco products to persons below the age of 18 is liable, on conviction in Court, to a maximum fine of up to $5,000 for the first offence and up to $10,000 for the second or subsequent offence.
In addition, the tobacco retail licence will also be suspended for 6 months for the first offence and revoked for the second offence.
If any outlet is found selling tobacco products to underage youth in school uniform or those below 12 years of age, the tobacco retail licence will immediately be revoked, even for the first offence.
HSA also encourages members of the public who have information on the illegal sales of tobacco products to underage youth to call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 66842036 or 66842037 during office hours.
