More than 650 youths caught with illegal cigarettes last
year
SINGAPORE: More than 650 youths were caught with illegal
cigarettes last year and they form just 10 per cent of the total
number of underaged smokers booked.
It is bad enough that more teens are puffing away.
But many are also getting their smokes cheap from illegal
peddlers.
Singapore Customs said it is concerned that this may be hampering
the national effort to curb smoking.
Even more worrying is that more youngsters are themselves peddling
illegal cigarettes.
11 were caught doing this last year up from just two in 2007.
Fong Yong Kian, director-general, Singapore Customs, said: “We take
this very seriously because this could be a sign that these youths
are being exploited by the syndicates that are trying to distribute
illegal cigarettes. For these youths, we will fine them but at the
same time, we are also working out with other organisations a
guidance programme in order to offer them counselling and
help.”
- CNA/vm
