SINGAPORE – A 15-year-old boy was charged in court after being found with vapes on five different occasions by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

The court ordered the teen’s placement at the Singapore Boys’ Home, a juvenile rehabilitation centre, for 24 months, starting from July 21.

According to charge sheets, the boy was caught possessing two vapes at a McDonald’s restaurant at Nex shopping mall on March 19, 2024.

He was also caught with vapes on four other separate occasions from February to October 2024 at Sin Ming Avenue, 201 Serangoon Central and at a HDB void deck at Sumang Walk in Punggol.

HSA said on July 24 that the boy also faced 15 other charges from the Singapore Police Force when he was hauled to court on July 21. The Straits Times has contacted the police for more information on these charges.

In a press release in April 2024, the Ministry of Health and HSA said that the Ministry of Education will be notified when students are caught by HSA or other enforcement agencies for vaping offences outside school settings.

In addition to the penalty imposed by HSA, schools will take disciplinary action against students caught vaping, such as suspension, or caning for boys.

A study by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) published in June showed that despite Singapore’s total ban on e-vaporisers since 2018, its adoption among youth has risen.

In 2024, there were

2,000 cases of students,

including those from institutes of higher learning, reported for possessing or using e-vaporisers. This is up from 800 cases in 2022, and 900 cases in 2023.

Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000.

Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.

Those who need help to quit vaping can join the HPB’s I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000.

Participants need not worry about being prosecuted, as it does not presume they use or have used vaping products.

But those caught using or possessing such items will be prosecuted.

From July 21, the

HSA has also extended the operating hours for its hotline

to report vaping-related offences. The hotline now operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays.

The HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at

www.go.gov.sg/reportvape

If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at

stnewsdesk@sph.com.sg

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