Singapore works with like-minded overseas counterparts to share information on vape-related activities and may even conduct joint operations as part of anti-vape efforts, said Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam in Parliament on Thursday (Sept 10).
She was responding to a parliamentary question from East Coast GRC MP Hazlina Abdul Halim, who had asked if Singapore's law enforcement agencies work with their overseas counterparts to identify Singaporeans involved in overseas vape production or distribution networks.
She also asked what enforcement actions can be taken against such persons.
Earlier in July, Singaporean Oh Jiang Fong, who was initially thought to be missing in Vietnam, was found to have been arrested by Ho Chi Minh police.
This, after they launched an operation against a syndicate producing and trafficking etomidate-laced vapes.
Citing police sources, Vietnamese media outlets reported that Oh was nabbed alongside another Singaporean, Melvin Tan Junjie, and Malaysian Hoo Jia How on July 17.
Ho Chi Minh police said they have questioned a total of 76 people and charged 65 suspects over the alleged drug ring. This includes four Singaporeans, according to media outlet Dan Tri.
In her reply on Thursday, Rahayu pointed out that Singapore's criminal laws generally apply to acts committed in Singapore only.
However, Singapore's law enforcement agencies do work with their overseas counterparts to share information on illegal activities and conduct joint operations from time to time, she said.
This, Rahayu added, is also dependent on whether vape production, distribution and consumption are illegal in those countries.
Certain laws apply to Singaporeans and PRs overseas
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those who consume controlled drugs overseas can be tested upon return and prosecuted as if they consumed it in Singapore.
There are also provisions in certain offences such as terrorism and hijacking — where it targets Singapore, or occurred on a Singapore-registered aircraft or ship — that allows extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Similarly, the Prevention of Corruption Act applies for corrupt acts committed by Singapore citizens outside of Singapore, just as it would locally.
From May 1, vape users, sellers and smugglers will face higher fines after amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act were passed in Parliament.
The maximum fines for users, sellers and smugglers have been raised to $10,000, $200,000, and $300,000 respectively. Sellers and smugglers may also be jailed for up to six years and nine years.
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