Latest news with #Tobacco(ControlofAdvertisementsandSale)Act
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Man charged with having 320 vape pods and over 70 vapes meant for sale in car at Bugis mall
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox On July 30, Byron Chua Longming, 36, was handed five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. SINGAPORE – A man was hauled to court after he was caught with 320 vaporiser pods and over 70 vaporisers in a car at a Bugis shopping mall. Most of the vapes and its related components were meant for sale, according to details revealed in court documents. On July 30, Byron Chua Longming, 36, was handed five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. The Singaporean was purportedly found with the illicit products in a car on Aug 6, 2024 at about 12.30pm at Bugis Plus. Charge sheets did not state if it was his vehicle. Of the products, 72 e-cigarette vaporisers and 320 pods were allegedly for the purposes of sale, while one other vape found in his possession was not meant for sale. At 4.39pm the same day, Chua was found with more vapes and related components at an HDB flat at Block 217 Tampines Street 23. He allegedly had 30 pods for the purposes of sale, and two vapes which were not meant to be sold. A Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prosecutor said on July 30 that the prosecution would be handing Chua one more charge at his next court mention on Aug 21. If convicted of possessing vapes and its related components for sale, Chua could be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to six months for each charge. Having such products, even if they are not meant to be sold, carries a maximum fine of $2,000 per charge. HSA seized $41 million worth of vapes from January 2024 to March 2025 – nearly fivefold the reported value seized from 2019 to end-2023, according to numbers compiled by The Straits Times. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement on July 12 that they are looking at enhancing laws around vaping. The authorities noted that enforcement agencies will be taking stern action against those who import, sell, distribute, possess, use or purchase e-vaporisers. Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences. The hotline operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at
AsiaOne
22-07-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
Youth sent to hospital after allegedly vaping and behaving erratically on overhead bridge in Bishan, Singapore News
A youth was sent to hospital after he was allegedly seen vaping on an overhead bridge in Bishan. Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), who administered aid to the youth at a bus stop along Bishan Road, said that they responded to the incident at around 8.30pm on July 16. One person was sent to KK Women's and Children's Hospital. According to a since-deleted post shared to Facebook group Complaint Singapore on Monday, he had been crossing a nearby overhead bridge when he began vaping, Mustsharenews reported. In photographs of the incident taken by the user who shared the post, the youth allegedly took puffs from his e-vaporiser while walking, head held down. Soon after, he was seen behaving erratically, staggering and trembling. A separate photo of the incident allegedly showed the same youth seated on the staircase leading up to the bridge, while concerned members of the public attended to him. One video also showed him at the bus stop, where he appeared to stumble while attempting to stand straight. Police officers and SCDF personnel were later pictured at the scene. Expanded hotline service to report vaping-related offences In a press release on Sunday (July 20), the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced that they will be intensifying surveillance and enforcement measures against e-vaporisers. This includes an expansion of the hotline service to report vaping-related offences, which will now operate daily, from 9am to 9pm. This comes amid a significant increase in public feedback on vaping-related offences, with the authority receiving over 3,000 reports in 2024 and more than 2,500 reports in the first half of 2025. The purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are illegal under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act and offenders can be fined up to $2,000. Possessing or using pods containing etomidate, a controlled substance under the Poisons Act that can cause permanent organ failure and hallucinations, can result in jail of up to two years and a fine of up to $10,000. [[nid:720428]] khooyihang@
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
Singaporean teen's home yields 54 vape pods after Grab car incident
A 16-year-old boy was found with 54 electronic cigarette pods and three vaping devices at his home, some containing a controlled anaesthetic substance, following reports that he was vaping in a private-hire vehicle. These were among the cases involving vaping instances reported by the Singaporean authorites in its statement issued, yesterday. According to Health Sciences Authority (HSA), it conducted the raid on May 22 after the teenager and another 16-year-old were caught allegedly vaping in a car travelling along Bukit Timah Expressway on May 18. The vehicle's driver reported the incident to Traffic Police, who seized two e-vaporisers from one of the boys at the scene. Laboratory tests revealed that some of the confiscated pods contained etomidate, a potent substance used as an anaesthetic that can cause addiction and physical dependence. Possession of pods containing etomidate carries penalties of up to two years imprisonment and fines up to S$10,000 (RM33,000) under the Poisons Act. A search of the second teenager's residence yielded no vaping materials. Both boys are currently assisting HSA investigations. Major distributor caught with nearly three tonnes The case forms part of HSA's intensified enforcement efforts, which recently netted a significant distributor operation. On July 11, authorities arrested a 21-year-old man allegedly distributing e-vaporisers and components in Bishan and Ubi areas. Raids uncovered almost three tonnes of vaping products. The suspect was charged in court on July 14 July, with the case adjourned to August 11. Social media evidence leads to multiple arrests Two additional cases emerged through social media surveillance. A 24-year-old man was identified after footage showed him vaping in a Sim Lim Square lift on April 30. HSA raided his residence on May 16, seizing two devices. In another incident, a 58-year-old man was filmed sitting on a road holding a vaping device on May 19, appearing unable to walk independently and shaking uncontrollably. Though no devices were found during the subsequent raid, the man admitted to vaping and received a composition fine. Enhanced reporting system launched HSA announced expanded enforcement capabilities following a surge in public reports. The authority received over 3,000 vaping-related reports in 2024 and more than 2,500 in the first half of 2025. From July 21 (Monday), the Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline (6684 2036 or 6684 2037) will operate daily from 9am to 9pm, including weekends and public holidays. A new online reporting platform has also launched at 'Through public feedback and social media postings, HSA was able to use them as an additional source of surveillance data to intensify our enforcement activities,' the authority stated. Strict penalties in force Singapore prohibits the purchase, possession, and use of e-vaporisers under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, with fines up to $2,000 for offenders. Distribution and sale carry harsher penalties: up to $10,000 fine or six months imprisonment for first offences, rising to $20,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment for repeat violations. HSA emphasised that all seized devices suspected of containing illegal substances undergo testing, with offenders facing additional charges under relevant legislation.
The Star
18-07-2025
- The Star
Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore
Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was found with vapes and various related components in a Housing Board flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22 on Dec 11, 2024. - HSA SINGAPORE: A man who allegedly made drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home was charged on Thursday (July 17). The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was manufacturing e-vaporiser pods containing etomidate at home with the intent to sell them. HSA said Akil's case is the first of its kind in Singapore. For making these do-it-yourself Kpods, the 41-year-old Singaporean was handed five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. On Dec 11, 2024, Akil was allegedly found with vapes and various related components in an HDB flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22. These included 569 pieces of empty pod casings, 534 pieces of pod components, 1,485 pieces of pod covers and 100 loose e-vaporiser pods, among other items, according to charge sheets. An HSA prosecutor said in court that the authorities were ready with a plea offer for him. Akil, who attended court via video-link, said he understood the charges and wanted to plead guilty to all of them. He said he did not want to hire a lawyer, adding: 'I don't want to waste the court's time.' Akil had earlier been charged with two offences under the Poisons Act for possessing and selling etomidate, a classified poison increasingly detected in vapes. After midnight on Dec 11, 2024, Akil allegedly sold 100 vape pods outside the same HDB flat. These vape pods contained 150ml of liquid, which was analysed and found to contain etomidate, according to charge sheets. Around 5.30am that day at the same location, Akil was allegedly found with 26.4g of white powder, which also contained etomidate. Kpods are a growing cause for concern here. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement on July 12 that vaping is a serious issue, noting that etomidate may cause adverse effects such as seizures and psychosis. Used in hospitals to induce sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is meant to be injected into the veins under clinical supervision and is never intended to be inhaled. When vaped, it enters the lungs directly and may trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. The ministries said they were looking at tightening the laws around vaping after the increased detection of vapes containing etomidate and other controlled drugs. Akil faces one more charge under the Passports Act for making a false statement to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority while applying for a new Singapore passport. He allegedly lied on Jan 20 that he forgot his bag – which contained his NRIC and passport – at a coffee shop, and that his passport was not returned to him. Akil, who has been in remand since June 20, is slated to plead guilty on July 23. To report vaping offences and the sale of vaping devices to the authorities, the public can contact HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays. - The Straits Times/ANN
International Business Times
17-07-2025
- International Business Times
Singapore's First Case: 41-Year-Old Man Charged for Making DIY Kpods at Yishun Residence
A 41-year-old man who allegedly made drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home was charged on Thursday, July 17, in Singapore. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was manufacturing e-vaporizer pods containing etomidate at home with an intention to sell them. According to HSA, Akil's case is the first of its kind in Singapore. The Singaporean man was handed five charges for making these do-it-yourself Kpods under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. Last year, Akil was allegedly found with vapes and various related components in an HDB flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22 on December 11. According to charge sheets, these included, among other things, 100 loose e-vaporizer pods, 1,485 pieces of pod covers, 569 pieces of empty pod casings, and 534 pieces of pod components. In court, an HSA prosecutor stated that the authorities were prepared to make him a plea deal. Akil, who appeared in court via video link, stated that he was aware of the charges and wished to enter a guilty plea to each one. However, he didn't t want to hire a lawyer, stating, "I don't want to waste the court's time," as reported by Straits Times. Akil was previously accused of two offenses under the Poisons Act for selling and possessing etomidate, a poison that is increasingly found in vape pens. On December 11, 2024, after midnight, Akil is accused of selling 100 vape pods outside the same HDB apartment. According to charge sheets, the 150 ml of liquid in these vape pods was analyzed and found to contain etomidate. Akil was allegedly discovered in possession of 26.4g of white powder, which also contained etomidate, at the same location at 5:30 am that day. Kpods are a growing cause for concern in Singapore. In a joint statement released on July 12, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that vaping is a serious problem and that etomidate may have negative side effects like psychosis and seizures. Etomidate, which is used in hospitals to make patients drowsy during medical procedures, is never meant to be inhaled; instead, it is meant to be injected into the veins under clinical supervision. It enters the lungs directly when vaped, which can cause seizures, breathing problems, spasms, and even psychosis. Following a rise in the number of vapes found to contain etomidate and other controlled substances, the ministries announced that they were considering stricter regulations regarding vaping. Akil is also charged under the Passports Act with lying to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority when he applied for a new Singaporean passport. On January 20, he allegedly made up the story that he had left his bag, which included his passport and NRIC, at a coffee shop and that his passport had not been given back. Akil is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on July 23. He has been under remand since June 20. The public can call HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5:30 pm, to report vaping offenses and the sale of vaping devices to the authorities.
