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17 arrested for peddling, possessing chewing tobacco in joint operation by police, HSA

The Khaini chewing tobacco seized during a joint operation by HSA and the police in Little India. (PHOTO: Health Sciences Authority)
The Khaini chewing tobacco seized during a joint operation by HSA and the police in Little India. (PHOTO: Health Sciences Authority)

SINGAPORE — Seventeen people were arrested for peddling and possession of chewing tobacco over Sunday (25 August) and Monday, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Singapore Police Force (SPF).

The two-day joint operation was carried out primarily in Little India and also a raid conducted at a Jurong Storage Facility, said the HSA in a news release on Tuesday.

Officers uncovered chewing tobacco hidden under a metal plate along the pavement, and in a haversack on a shoe rack in a nearby temple, it added.

The seized items amounted to over 21,036 sachets of chewing tobacco, with a street value of about $42,000.

Curbing the sale of Khaini

The joint operation was the largest done to date to curb the peddling of Khaini, a type of chewing tobacco, with the most peddlers caught. Two of the arrested peddlers were on social visit passes, and have been repatriated.

Chewing tobacco, such as Khaini, Gutkha and Zarda, has been found to cause oral cancer and are prohibited under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.

Any person convicted of an import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of chewing tobacco may be fined up to $10,000, jailed up to six months, or both, for their first offence. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $20,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.

The possession, purchase and use of such tobacco products is also prohibited in Singapore. Any person convicted of doing so can be fined up to $2,000.

HSA encourages the public who have information on the prohibited sale of chewing tobacco products to call its Tobacco Regulation Branch at 66842036 or 66842037 during office hours (9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday).

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