SINGAPORE - Five retailers were fined for the unlicensed sale of shisha molasses and tobacco at their outlets in Kampong Glam, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Friday (Sept 16).

All five were convicted in court and fined a total of $14,200, with Cafe Le Caire (International) Pte Ltd charged with the heftiest fine of $4,000.

Four of the outlets had their tobacco retail licences revoked earlier for tobacco related offences, but persisted in the sale of shisha molasses and tobacco. Nefertiti Pte Ltd, which was fined $1,800, had never applied for a tobacco retail licence but sold shisha tobacco.

These cases were detected through HSA's enforcement activities targeted at deterring the unlicensed sale of tobacco products in Singapore. Shisha molasses and tobacco are strictly prohibited in Singapore.

The Tobacco Regulations prohibits the import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of shisha molasses and tobacco.

Any person who is convicted of the offence can be fined up to $10,000, jailed up to six months, or both, for the first offence.

Shisha molasses and tobacco that have been imported will be seized and confiscated by the authorities.