Copyright tnp
Sixteen people were caught and fined for e-vaporiser-related offences following raids by the authorities at 101 entertainment outlets islandwide to crack down on vaping. More than 70 vapes and related components were also seized during the multi-agency enforcement operations, which were conducted from Sept 11 to 19, the police said in a statement on Sept 26. Nine islandwide operations were conducted in all by over 150 personnel, who included officers from all seven land divisions of the police, the Criminal Investigation Department and the Health Sciences Authority. The 16 offenders - aged between 21 and 50 - were issued a fine for possessing vapes under the Tobacco Act. Under the enhanced clampdown on vapes, which took effect on Sept 1, those found possessing, using or purchasing vapes face higher penalties than before. First-time offenders aged 18 and above will be fined $700, up from $500, and second-time offenders will need to undergo rehabilitation, and a failure to do so would result in prosecution. Those caught using vapes for the third time and more may be fined up to $2,000. The law previously would have seen offenders aged 18 and above fined $500 regardless of the number of repeat offences. Twelve other individuals were also arrested for offences unrelated to vaping, the police said. Seven of them were nabbed during police raids in Rochor and Little India in the early hours of Sept 12. The seven are four men, aged between 24 and 44, who are suspected members of unlawful societies, a 22-year-old man who allegedly caused hurt to deter a public servant from his duty, a 16-year-old girl who was drunk and allegedly has a forged electronic record, and a 40-year-old man suspected of drug-related offences. Another man and four women were arrested at entertainment outlets in Telok Ayer and Orchard for working without a valid work pass.
