Brisk business at JB vape shops as Singaporeans return

 

Vaping has reportedly been on the rise in Singapore, with the devices and accessories often sold through chat groups on messaging platform Telegram.

JOHOR BAHRU: Aside from a visit to the petrol station, the first destination of many Singaporeans entering Johor is usually shops selling e-cigarettes, more commonly referred to as vapes.

Vaping and the sale of e-cigarettes are illegal in Singapore, according to a report in Straits Times (ST).

However, some of the Singaporeans seen at a shop selling e-cigarette devices and the liquid refills told the daily that they only used it when they were in the privacy of their own homes.

Keith (not his real name), who is in his 30s, said he has been in and out of Malaysia several times since the border reopened on April 1.

He said the vape shop, which is approximately 15 minutes from the Causeway, was a familiar haunt prior to the pandemic, and he returned there for the range of flavours and devices.

“The shop has a very wide range of flavours and the items are about a third of the price compared with the ones sold by illegal sellers in Singapore,” he was quoted as saying by ST.

“I don’t buy in bulk. I just buy for my own use. Usually, they (Singapore customs) don’t check. They just go after those who try to smuggle vapes in by the thousands.”

The use and sale of e-cigarettes have been banned in Singapore since 2018. Buying, using, and being in possession of an e-cigarette carries a maximum fine of S$2,000 (RM6,300).

It is also illegal to import, distribute or sell imitation tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and their accessories.

Those convicted of doing so may be jailed for up to six months and fined up to S$10,000. The maximum sentence is doubled for repeat offenders.

Earlier this month, 1,200 e-cigarette devices and more than 49,000 related accessories hidden in three Malaysia-registered lorries entering Singapore were seized. The items had a street value of more than S$300,000.

Five Malaysian men, aged 21 to 51, are assisting the Health Sciences Authority in the republic with investigations.

Warning on health risks

Vaping has reportedly been on the rise in Singapore, with the devices and accessories often sold through chat groups on messaging platform Telegram.

The daily said this is in spite of numerous warnings from the authorities and medical professionals that vaping poses significant health risks.

“Singapore’s health ministry has cited many studies in the various warnings. But the common perception among those who spoke to ST was that vaping was banned because of taxation challenges.

“I think vaping is banned because the authorities can’t tax e-cigarettes,” claimed Keith, who has been vaping for about five years.

He believes vaping is less harmful than smoking.

In Malaysia, the sale of such liquids containing nicotine has been banned since 2015, but there are no specific regulations governing the sale and use of the vape device itself and vape liquids without nicotine.

There are plans for laws to regulate and tax instead of instituting a ban on the sale of vape liquids containing nicotine, but while this is still being worked out by lawmakers, it has become socially acceptable among many in the community for vapes with nicotine to be sold.

The vape shop that the reporters visited was run by Malaysian couple Shah (not his real name) and his wife.

Shah, who is in his 40s, said they started the business just over a decade ago.

He said that just before the pandemic, business had been booming, with about RM20,000 in sales a day.

“But during the pandemic, business has dropped by about 70%,” he told the daily.

Shah said business is now at about 50% of what it was before the pandemic, with about 30 or so Singaporeans visiting his shop daily. He added that before the pandemic, about 80 Singaporeans used to patronise his shop every day.

He does not sell vapes in bulk and will not accede to requests for items sold to be packed in a concealed manner. - FMT