Tobacco vendor licensing plugs the loopholes in implementing lifesaving health laws
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Shobha Shukla– CNS
Contd from previous issue
License fee for tobacco retail is Singapore dollars 400 with an annual renewal fees of dollars 300. “Fines are hefty for violating laws, for example, there is a fine of up to Singapore dollar 10,000 for selling tobacco products to those under 21,” said Sabita Karapan. Before joining Vital Strategies, she earlier served the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)’s Asia Pacific regional office.
Sabita Karapan said that it is the legal responsibility of tobacco retailer to ensure that all transactions of tobacco products are carried out at the outlet. The license holder is responsible for actions of all employees. Non-employees are not allowed by law to handle, retail or access tobacco at the outlet.
It is the responsibility of tobacco retail license holder to verify the age of the buyer. Moreover, the license holder must retain all invoices or receipts for each tobacco transaction for a period of 1 year from the date of issue. “They should be able to produce these during inspections by authorities,” said Sabita Karapan.
She outlined the importance of tobacco retail licensing by underpinning how it has helped Singapore to advance tobacco control in the country and save lives. For example, tobacco retail cannot happen at makeshift or temporary stalls, in hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies, Chinese medical halls, traditional Chinese clinics, gaming arcades or childcare centres or youth centric institutions, among other places mentioned in the law.
“Licensing of tobacco importers, wholesalers and retailers in Singapore has helped to ensure that there are no illegal (nicotine or) tobacco products imported into the country,” said Sabita. Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority decides if any violation of law has taken place, and if so, then violator-licensee can face hefty fines, and/or even suspension or revocation of license.
Health Sciences Authority of Singapore evaluates severity of violation of tobacco control laws, explained Sabita Karapan. For example, selling to minor is more severe than forgetting to close the cabinet after selling the product. But fines are quite hefty, and rightly so. More importantly, compliance of these laws is fairly high too.
Sabita and Dr Bam were speaking in an online session hosted by Resource Centre for Tobacco Control at the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health of government-run Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, India, Vital Strategies and The Union.
Tobacco retail licensing is a vital component of Singapore’s comprehensive approach to tobacco control, said Sabita Karapan. Licensing plays a significant role in regulating the sale of tobacco products, protecting public health, and aligning with international standards, as well as boost the ongoing efforts to address emerging challenges and further reduce deadly smoking rates.
Contd from previous issue
License fee for tobacco retail is Singapore dollars 400 with an annual renewal fees of dollars 300. “Fines are hefty for violating laws, for example, there is a fine of up to Singapore dollar 10,000 for selling tobacco products to those under 21,” said Sabita Karapan. Before joining Vital Strategies, she earlier served the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)’s Asia Pacific regional office.
Sabita Karapan said that it is the legal responsibility of tobacco retailer to ensure that all transactions of tobacco products are carried out at the outlet. The license holder is responsible for actions of all employees. Non-employees are not allowed by law to handle, retail or access tobacco at the outlet.
It is the responsibility of tobacco retail license holder to verify the age of the buyer. Moreover, the license holder must retain all invoices or receipts for each tobacco transaction for a period of 1 year from the date of issue. “They should be able to produce these during inspections by authorities,” said Sabita Karapan.
She outlined the importance of tobacco retail licensing by underpinning how it has helped Singapore to advance tobacco control in the country and save lives. For example, tobacco retail cannot happen at makeshift or temporary stalls, in hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies, Chinese medical halls, traditional Chinese clinics, gaming arcades or childcare centres or youth centric institutions, among other places mentioned in the law.
“Licensing of tobacco importers, wholesalers and retailers in Singapore has helped to ensure that there are no illegal (nicotine or) tobacco products imported into the country,” said Sabita. Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority decides if any violation of law has taken place, and if so, then violator-licensee can face hefty fines, and/or even suspension or revocation of license.
Health Sciences Authority of Singapore evaluates severity of violation of tobacco control laws, explained Sabita Karapan. For example, selling to minor is more severe than forgetting to close the cabinet after selling the product. But fines are quite hefty, and rightly so. More importantly, compliance of these laws is fairly high too.
Sabita and Dr Bam were speaking in an online session hosted by Resource Centre for Tobacco Control at the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health of government-run Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, India, Vital Strategies and The Union.
Tobacco retail licensing is a vital component of Singapore’s comprehensive approach to tobacco control, said Sabita Karapan. Licensing plays a significant role in regulating the sale of tobacco products, protecting public health, and aligning with international standards, as well as boost the ongoing efforts to address emerging challenges and further reduce deadly smoking rates.