S'pore e-cigarette peddler who sold $100,000 worth of loot shut down
A Singaporean man has been caught for having sold about $100,000 worth of e-cigarettes.
Today (Mar 19), the Health Science Authority's (HSA) Tobacco Regulation Branch raided an HDB flat located at Gangsa Road, disrupting the peddler's illegal operations.
The suspect’s unlawful activities were detected through HSA’s online surveillance and investigation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had illegally purchased the prohibited products from various overseas suppliers to sell via an e-commerce website.
He also assembled and modified e-cigarette products and sold them online.
Seized: The e-cigarettes that were seized in today's raid. PHOTO: Health Sciences Authority
The website has since been shut down by HSA and the suspect is helping with investigations.
So why are e-cigarettes banned in Singapore?
The Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Board and HSA are concerned that they could potentially be a gateway to developing a smoking habit, particularly among the young.
In Korea, popular K-pop rapper-singer Amber,22, made headlines yesterday (Mar 18) when a SNS (social networking service) picture of her holding an e-cigarette circulated online.
The controversial picture showed the Los Angeles-born member of girl group f(x) (above, right) holding an e-cigarette.
Comments were fast and furious online with netizens speculating if this would affect her idol image.
Allkpop reported that although Amber wasn't seen actually smoking the e-cigarette, some netizens came forward to defend her while others criticised the idol, pointing out the fact that Amber is in a girl group which has a large influence over the young, especially teenagers.
Source: SG Press Centre, Allkpop
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