Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Straits Times reported on Sept. 27 that the government lost SGD347 million in taxes last year due to contraband cigarette consumption.
Smokers consumed 900 million illegal cigarettes in 2012, putting the city fourth on Asia’s illicit tobacco use list.
Brunei is top, followed by Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Interpol has warned that a flourishing illegal tobacco trade encourages criminal networking and terrorism.
According to The Singapore Customs, buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods can bring about a fine of up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded and/or six years in jail.
