5,476 vapes seized from travellers at S’pore checkpoints over 4 days, 32% cases involved S’pore residents

Vapes seized from 50 travellers at checkpoints, 4 foreigners found carrying 5,272 of them at Changi Airport

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) seized more than 5,476 e-vaporisers and related components as it conducted stepped-up checks at Singapore’s checkpoints over four days.

Among the 50 travellers caught, 32% of them were Singapore residents, said ICA in a Facebook post on Saturday (31 Oct).

68% of travellers found with vapes were short-term visitors

The stepped-up checks at Singapore’s air, land and sea checkpoints were carried out from Monday to Thursday (26 to 29 Oct), ICA said.

50 travellers were found in possession of vapes, with 32% of them Singapore residents, i.e. Singaporeans, permanent residents and Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) holders.

The remaining 68% were short-term visitors.

5,272 vapes found in 4 foreign travellers’ luggage

Notably, ICA officers profiled four foreigners who arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 4 on 26 Oct.

They were subjected to further checks, upon which 5,272 vapes and related components were uncovered in their luggage.

The quartet were referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

They will be facing higher penalties under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA), which came into force on 1 May.

Foreigners must abide by S’pore laws

Noting that vaping is illegal in Singapore, ICA maintained that foreigners who visit or live in Singapore must abide by our laws.

ICA said it “remains committed” to securing Singapore’s borders against all forms of smuggling, including vapes.

Thus, its stepped-up checks aim to detect and deter attempts to smuggle the illegal devices into Singapore, in support of Whole-of-Government anti-vaping efforts.

Visitors who reoffend face S’pore entry ban

Under the TVCA, those caught possessing, using or purchasing vapes will face higher penalties.

Short-term visitors who reoffend will be banned from re-entering Singapore.

LTVP holders who reoffend may have their passes revoked if it is their third offence.

They may also be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.

Also read: Korean man arrested after vapes found in baggage at Changi Airport though he had ‘nothing to declare’

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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.