saltycotton posted a photo:

Herbert Tareyton Cigarettes ad
1955

saltycotton posted a photo:

Du Maurier Cigarettes ad
1940s

saltycotton posted a photo:

Kool Cigarettes ad
“Better Homes & Gardens” magazine
1959

A traveller has been sentenced to six weeks in prison and fined HK$1,800 after attempting to smuggle cigarettes under his stockings while crossing the border from mainland China.

The 49-year-old man received his sentence at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, one day after he was intercepted at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.

Customs officers seized 1,181 sticks of illicit cigarettes from the traveller, with an estimated market value of about HK$4,800, the Customs and Excise Department said in a statement on Thursday.

Around HK$3,900 in duties would have been charged on that amount of cigarettes, the statement added.

Customs also released a photo appearing to show cigarette packs wrapped around a man’s lower legs underneath his stockings.

The man was arrested on suspicion of contravening the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and sentenced “for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers,” the statement said.

The department welcomed the ruling, saying: “The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.”

saltycotton posted a photo:

Nor-East Suit ad
1958

saltycotton posted a photo:

Canada Dry Ginger Ale ad
“The Saturday Evening Post” magazine
March 5, 1935

saltycotton posted a photo:

Benson and Hedges Cigarettes ad
1958

SINGAPORE: A shocking incident was revealed when Singapore Customs officers uncovered more than 740 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes stored in various freezers at an eatery in Jurong East Avenue 1.

On Facebook, the authorities claimed that from the operation, a number of cigarette packets were seized alongside four Chinese nationals aged 43 and 47 who were working at the eatery. Two of these men were arrested, and the other two issued composition sums. The two men arrested were then charged and sentenced to 66 and 18 days’ imprisonment, respectively. 

In the post, the authorities declared: “Duty-unpaid cigarettes may be cheap, but their consequences are costly. Remember, buying, selling, storing or consuming duty-unpaid cigarettes is illegal and carries severe penalties, including hefty fines and jail terms. Don’t risk it. It’s simply not worth it.” 

According to Singapore laws, the Customs remain committed to enforcing strict compliance with regulations and protecting revenue. It is under the Customs Act and GST Act that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possession or dealing in duty-unpaid cigarettes are serious offences. Offenders of this law can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty, and GST evaded, or imprisonment of up to six years, or both. 

If you have encountered any suspicious activities, the authorities are urging everyone to report any suspicious activities here: https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence.

Other related news 

In similar news, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers found a total number of 42 cases of passengers carrying e-cigarettes across sea, land, and air checkpoints last March. 

Some of these passengers were caught on the spot, while others chose to throw their vapes away after seeing the inspection checks.

Read more about the news story here. 

This article (Singapore Customs seizes more than 740 packets of illegal cigarettes from Jurong restaurant freezers) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

saltycotton posted a photo:

Old Gold Cigarettes ad
1952

saltycotton posted a photo:

Encore Cigarettes ad
1955