Looking to buy cigarettes? You won't find them in these 8 stores anymore

AsiaOne
Thursday, Jan 12, 2017

For selling tobacco to minors under 18-years-old, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has suspended the tobacco retail licences of eight errant tobacco retailers.

The suspension will last six months, HSA said in a statement today.

"HSA inspectors have observed that the majority of errant retailers do not ask for any form of identification to check the buyers' age. Retailers take the risk of offending if they assess age by mere physical appearance," wrote HSA.

The outlets are:

• Kwang Guan Huat at 95 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh
• Hui Huat Yew Kai Minimart at 26 Jalan Membina
• Vel Murugan Trading at 419 Fajar Road
• Kai Soon Supermarket at 123 Hougang Avenue 1
• Good Price Centre at 18 Bedok South Road
• Happy Family Neighbourhood Budget Minimart at 708 Tampines Street 71
• Two 7-Eleven outlets located at 245 Pasir Ris Street 21 and 131 Marsiling Rise

Of the eight retailers, Vel Murugan Trading has ceased operations, but HSA will continue to pursue action against the seller.

Since 2014, HSA has suspended 40 tobacco retail licences and revoked 20 more.

Anyone caught selling tobacco products to minors below 18 may be fined up to $5,000 for the first offence and up to $10,000 for subsequent offences. The tobacco retail licence will also be suspended for six months for the first offence and revoked for the second offence.

Retailers selling tobacco products to under-18 minors in school uniform or those below 12 years of age will have their tobacco retail licence revoked at the first offence.

Buying or giving tobacco products to a minor is also an offence, HSA added.