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HSA revokes, suspends licences of 6 retailers for selling tobacco to minors

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hsa-revokes-suspends-licences-of-6-retailers-for-selling-tobacco-to-minors

Song Hui Kiosk had its tobacco retail licence revoked, while the licences of the other five were suspended for six months. PHOTO: HSA

Song Hui Kiosk had its tobacco retail licence revoked, while the licences of the other five were suspended for six months. PHOTO: HSA

SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has either revoked or suspended the tobacco retail licences of six errant retailers for selling tobacco products to minors under 18.

The six were caught via ground surveillance and enforcement activities conducted by HSA, it said in a press release on Tuesday (July 5).

Song Hui Kiosk in Ang Mo Kio had its licence revoked and will no longer be allowed to sell tobacco products, after it was found to have sold them to a 14-year-old in school uniform.

The other five retailers – Shivaranjani Minimart, 26 Foodloft, Al Kaaba Mini-Mart, Sin Hup Lee Store, and O A Jalil – had sold tobacco products to minors for the first time.

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They will be prohibited from selling tobacco products for six months.

Since 2013, HSA said it has suspended 32 tobacco retail licences and revoked 22 others.

HSA reminded tobacco retail licensees that they are responsible for all transactions of tobacco products at their outlets, as well as the actions of their employees.

It also urged licensees to educate their employees on the law pertaining to the sale of such products, and for sellers to check the age of those who wish to buy them.

Anyone caught selling tobacco products to minors aged 18 and below can be fined up to $5,000 for the first offence, and up to $10,000 for subsequent offences.

In addition, the tobacco retail licence will be suspended for six months for the first offence, and revoked for the second.

Any outlet found selling tobacco products to minors in school uniform or to those below 12, however, will have their licences revoked at the first offence.

The public can view the updated list of tobacco retailers with suspended or revoked licences here.

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