Identifying Singaporeans Involved in Overseas Vape Production or Distribution Networks

Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether local enforcement agencies work with their overseas counterparts to identify Singaporeans involved in overseas vape production or distribution networks; and (b) what enforcement action can be taken against such persons.

Mr Speaker, generally, Singapore's criminal laws apply to acts committed in Singapore only. That said, we work with our overseas counterparts to share information on illegal activities and conduct joint operations from time to time. However, if vape production, distribution and consumption are not illegal in those countries, cooperation will be limited.

A short supplementary question. Ms Hazlina.

Thank you, Speaker. Thank you to the Minister of State. Could the Minister of State share how many Singaporeans have since been identified through these cooperations and the enforcement taken out of these cooperations as well?

Mr Speaker, in many jurisdictions the manufacture, sale and distribution of vaping products are not prohibited activities under their local laws. Therefore, foreign authorities would generally not take enforcement action against individuals for such activities nor systematically share such information with us.

So, we have very limited information on that. And consequently, we do not have data, we do not maintain data on the number of Singaporeans who may be involved in vape production or distribution overseas, or on related overseas enforcement actions.

But where we do come across information suggesting breaches of Singapore's laws, we do then look at the information and take appropriate follow-up actions within its enforcement remit.

Order. End of Question Time. The Clerk will now proceed to read the Notice of Motion.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]