CATEGORISATION OF IMPORT AND SALE OF VAPES AND ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS AS SERIOUS OFFENCES UNDER ORGANISED CRIME ACT 2015
Vaping continues to be an issue of concern in Singapore.
Despite it being outlawed, illicit vaping was reported to be rapidly rising in an ST article dated 24 Jan 2023. A good number of vapers identified include students, even primary school students as reported in an ST article dated 26 Oct 2023. This report was particularly concerning as it is a medical fact that our young people may irreparably damage their lungs through vaping.
Our enforcement officers from the Home Team and Health Science Authority are working hard to arrest the problem. For eg, in April 2023, the officers conducted a warehouse raid in Mandai and seized more than 85,000 vapes and related components worth more than $2 million. In February 2023, ICA filed an attempt to smuggle 20,000 vapes into Singapore. Clearly, there are illegal elements in Singapore which consider this business to be a lucrative one.
Given these trends, I filed a Parliamentary Question to convey a suggestion to strengthen the suite of measures against individuals and businesses that are importing and selling vapes and associated products. I suggested that the import and sale of vapes and associated products be categorised as “serious offence” under the Organised Crime Act 2015 (“OCA”). This is a powerful act that empowers law enforcement authorities to target persons believed to be involved in the commission of such offences and effectively “immobilise” them through issuance of preventive orders, financial reporting orders, disqualification orders and civil forfeiture too.
In his reply, the Minister for Home Affairs highlighted that for an offence to be listed as a “serious offence”, it must pose a serious threat to public safety and security. He provided examples including murder, drug-trafficking and unlicensed moneylending.
Minister makes a good point. However, it should be highlighted that under the OCA, even the importation or possession of infringing copy of work for purposes of sale or distribution which are offences under the Copyright Act are “serious offences”. If such Copyright Act offences are “serious” under OCA, I think there is a case to be made for import and selling of vapes and associated products to be considered “serious” too.
I am glad to note from the Minister’s reply that MHA and HSA are assessing my suggestion. I look forward to the conclusion of the assessment as soon as possible. I do think we need to employ a root and branch approach here to stamp out vaping in Singapore and, in particular, protect our young people. I wish to highlight that there are several published articles describing vaping (which is highly addictive) as a gateway to substance abuse. For example, researchers from Columbia University in a study published on 19 May 2023 found, aftuest er tracking 50,000 US adolescents, that vaping nicotine is strongly linked to increased likelihood of binge drinking and cannabis usage.
My PQ and the Minister’s response are set out below.
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Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the import and sale of vapes and associated products can be categorised as a “serious offence” under the Organised Crime Act 2015 to enable Government authorities to target organised criminal groups involved in such activities.
Mr K Shanmugam: For an offence to be listed as a serious offence in the Schedule of the Organised Crime Act (OCA), it must pose a serious threat to public safety and security in Singapore. The offence must also be one that is associated with organised crime in Singapore. Offences in the Schedule include murder, drug-trafficking, and unlicensed moneylending.
Based on these criteria, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Health Sciences Authority are assessing the Member’s suggestion of including offences involving vapes and associated products under the OCA.
