Two Singapore vape peddlers found selling vapourisers and accessories have been shut down by the Singapore Health Sciences Authority’s Tobacco Regulation Branch.

More than 1000 vapourisers with an estimated street value of $23,000 were seized in a raid of the peddlers’ premises.

HSA’s online surveillance and investigations uncovered the unlawful activities. The first suspect, a 28-year-old male, ran his business out of a Singapore Housing & Development Board flat. Preliminary investigations show he had obtained the prohibited products from Malaysia, peddled them on social-media platforms, and delivered the items to his buyers.

Acting on information provided by the first suspect, HSA enforcement officers raided a mobile-phone shop where they found a 39-year-old male who had also used social media to attract customers to his shop to buy vapourisers. He had also obtained his supplies overseas.

HSA has removed the suspects’ online advertisements, and the two men are helping with further investigations.

Since 2011, HSA has prosecuted 10 persons for selling vape products, with the stiffest penalty so far being $64,500.

Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, the penalty for importing, distributing or selling any article designed to resemble a tobacco product is a fine of up to $5000 for the first offence and up to $10,000 for subsequent offences. The ban also includes eCigarettes, ePipes, eCigars and similar items.

The Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Board and HSA are concerned that vapourisers could potentially be a gateway to developing a smoking habit, particularly among young people.