The 7-Eleven retail store at Cineleisure Orchard is no longer allowed to sell tobacco products, after its employees were caught, for the second time, selling tobacco products to minors under the age of 18. The revocation of its tobacco retail licence took effect on July 31.
Four other errant retail outlets have also had their tobacco retail licence suspended for six months after they were caught selling tobacco products to under-18 minors for the first time.
The suspension for Nice Minimart at Tampines Street 32 takes effect today (Sept 28) until March 27 next year, while the suspension for Tastebud Foodcourt at Queen Street and J Plus Ten Mini Mart at Bukit Batok West Ave 6 started on July 31 and will last until Jan 30 next year. The suspension for Hwa Soon Heng Mini-Supermarket at Yishun Ring Road ended on Sept 15.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) listed errant retailers and actions taken against them in a press release issued today. The HSA said they were caught via its ground surveillance and enforcement activities.
In the last three years, 37 tobacco retail licences were suspended and 22 were revoked.
The HSA reminded licensees that they are responsible for all transactions of tobacco products taking place at their outlets, as well as for the actions of their employees.
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 fine of up to S$5,000 for the first offence and up to S$10,000 for the second or subsequent offence. In addition, the tobacco retail licence will be suspended for 6 months for the first offence and revoked for the second offence.
If any outlet is found selling tobacco products to under-18 minors in school uniform or those below 12 years of age, the tobacco retail licence will be revoked, even at the first offence.
The HSA also reminded members of the public that anyone caught buying or acquiring any tobacco product for a person below the age of 18 years, is liable on conviction in Court, to a fine of up to S$2,500 for the first offence and up to S$5,000 for the second or subsequent offence.
Anyone caught giving or furnishing a tobacco product to a person below the age of 18, is liable on conviction in Court, to a fine of up to S$500 for the first offence and up to S$1,000 for the second or subsequent offence.
Between 2011 and August this year, 48 people have been caught for such offences.
Source: www.todayonline.com
