The next time you head over to Lion City, things are going to be very different should you be someone who consistently uses e-cigarettes or vape, shisha, chews tobacco or anything else similar because our friendly neighbour has made all of those things illegal, not just for businesses but also private use, beginning February 2018.
The new amendments to Singapore’s Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act signifies that anyone caught purchasing, possessing or using imitation tobacco products such as smokeless tobacco products, shisha and chewing tobacco will be fined up to $2,000.
Previously, only the importation, sale and distribution of the aforementioned products were illegal, and those found guilty are to be jailed for up to six months and/or fined up to $10,000 for the first offence, whereas repeat offenders would have to face twice the amount of the same penalties.
The amendments to the Act also encompasses gradually raising the minimum legal age for anyone to purchase, use, possess, sell and supply tobacco products from 18 to 21. This will be implemented in stages; raising the age from 18 to 19 beginning January 1, 2019, 19 to 20 on January 1, 2020, and 20 to 21 on January 1, 2021.
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