Teenager charged with selling vapes on WhatsApp
Albee Chai Buo Yin, 19, was given three charges on Tuesday (Jul 22) under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act for advertising electronic cigarettes, selling vapes and possessing vapes.
According to charge sheets, the Singaporean sold three disposable vapes to a person named only as Javier via WhatsApp on Aug 3, 2024.
She is accused of publishing an advertisement of imitation tobacco products by posting an image of an assortment of Lana e-cigarettes on WhatsApp on Oct 22 last year.
Chai allegedly was found to have six disposable vapes and one vape with a pod in it on Dec 19 at a flat in Jurong West Street 91.
Asked to give an indication of her plea, she said she would plead guilty and was given a date to do so in August.
If convicted of selling vapes or advertising their sale, she can be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
If convicted of possessing vapes for purposes other than sale, she can be fined up to S$2,000.
The charging comes after heightened enforcement by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and other ministries to crack down on vaping offences, especially among students.
HSA said on Sunday that more than 2,500 reports of vaping were made in the first half of 2025, compared with over 3,000 such reports for the whole of 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
7 people, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after Toa Payoh flat fire
Scroll up for the next video X 7 people, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after Toa Payoh flat fire
Independent Singapore
2 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Employer discovers maid threw household items out the window, asks if incident can be reported to police
SINGAPORE: An employer was shocked after discovering through CCTV footage that her domestic helper had thrown household items out of a window. She shared the incident in the 'MDW in Singapore' Facebook group on Sunday (Jul 27), explaining that she had been trying to locate several items that had mysteriously gone missing from her home. Although the items were not particularly expensive, she emphasised that they were essential to her family's daily routine and that replacing them had been both inconvenient and frustrating. She said she had questioned the helper multiple times about the missing items, hoping for an explanation or even a clue as to where they might have gone. However, each time, the helper insisted she had no knowledge of them. Suspecting something was amiss, the employer reviewed the CCTV recordings and was disturbed by what she saw. 'I was shocked to see that she threw it away at the window. She did it in a careful manner…to appear like she was just staring out of the window…but CCTV still captured everything when she touched it and pushed it out of the window,' the employer explained. She added that the incident was especially unexpected, as the helper had always come across as 'respectful, frail-looking, mild-mannered, and cheerful.' 'We really need to be vigilant and not let looks deceive us,' she wrote. The employer also shared that the incident occurred shortly after the family had attempted to make peace with the helper following a prior disagreement. 'There was a misunderstanding with her a few days ago… But we even took the first step to make it right with her even if it's not entirely our fault. We even prayed for her and shared something about God with her, and this incident (throwing away the things) happened like 30 mins after the prayer… Which is so odd…' Seeking advice from the community, she asked whether the incident could be reported to the police. 'Can this be reported to police? So far, I have not decided to take action, and it is unlikely for me to do so… However, it's good to know my options in case this happens again…. because the item thrown is not expensive (quite cheap), but money is still money,' she said. 'If I report to police…I don't even know if this is too simple to be reported…and maybe they will find me a nuisance…' 'Please take action and don't give a chance.' Other employers who responded to the post shared similar experiences with their own domestic helpers and encouraged her to consider finding a replacement. One wrote, 'I had some previous helpers who did similar. Throw wanted good things away purposely. It's like their way of being vindictive. I've learnt over the years that such behaviour is a huge red flag. Crime usually only escalates. Believe that they are the person that they show you.' Another commented, 'Please take action and don't give a chance. If you let her off, she'll just do it again, if not to you, then her next employer.' A third added, 'Throwing things out like that is spiteful, not innocent. Some people hide behind a sweet face, but actions don't lie. You have every right to protect your home. Don't second-guess that.' On the other hand, some others suggested that if the employer still wished to continue the working relationship, she should have an open and honest conversation with the helper. One said, 'If you like her and still want her around, you must sit her down to chat with the CCTV evidence. Explain to her that this will be the first and last conversation you'll have with her about it, and if it happens again, she will be fired.' How to handle a dispute with your domestic helper The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recommends that employers take the following steps when dealing with a dispute or misunderstanding: Communicate your issues. Instead of reacting out of anger or ignoring the problem, take the time to sit down with your helper in a quiet setting. Have an open and honest conversation. Allow her to share her side of the story without interruption, and try to listen with an open mind. At the same time, explain your concerns clearly and respectfully so she understands where you are coming from. Reach out for help. If having an honest conversation doesn't help settle things, you can reach out to your employment agency (EA) for support. If the issue still isn't resolved, groups like the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) or the Centre for Domestic Employees are also there to offer guidance. Report the incident. If you suspect your helper has committed a criminal offence, report the matter to the authorities. Employers are advised not to take matters into their own hands. Read also: 'I never even thought of running away' — Maid upset after employer refuses to give her a two-month salary advance of S$1.2k
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Foreigner forged MOM letters, cheated maid of over $2k with promise of S'pore jobs for her relatives
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The court heard that Indian national Charanjeet Singh and the victim, a 29-year-old Indian domestic worker, met in October 2024 at a temple in Singapore. SINGAPORE – Tricking a domestic worker into thinking he could help her relatives secure jobs in Singapore, a foreigner swindled her of more than $2,000 to pay for their purported work pass applications. To keep up the ruse, Indian national Charanjeet Singh even sent the victim forged Ministry of Manpower (MOM) documents. On July 29, Singh, 20, was sentenced to 13 weeks' jail after pleading guilty to a cheating offence and two charges of using a forged document. Three other charges were taken into consideration for his sentence. The court heard that Singh and the victim, a 29-year-old Indian domestic worker, met in October 2024 at a temple in Singapore. Singh told her he had been working in Singapore for several years and offered to help her land a job with his employer, a cleaning services company. In reality, that was his former co-tenant's company. Singh was unemployed and staying in Singapore on a special pass after his employment with another firm had been terminated over salary disputes. As the victim had one year remaining on her employment contract as a domestic worker, she asked if Singh could arrange for jobs in Singapore for her relatives in India instead. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Singapore ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail Singapore 12 motorists nabbed for providing illegal private-hire services: LTA Life Alone but not lonely: Tips from seniors who live solo and like it Asia Extreme weather turns Beijing into rain trap; 30 killed, over 80,000 evacuated Singh agreed and requested 250,000 Indian rupees (S$3,700) for each applicant, adding that the purported jobs involved packing and cleaning. To assure the victim, he sent video recordings purportedly showing himself at work and the accommodation provided by the company. The victim then asked Singh to proceed with job applications for three of her relatives, and paid him $2,135 between Nov 17 and Dec 1, 2024. Singh sent the victim several forged letters from MOM over the next two months, including supposed in-principle approvals for her relatives' work permits. He did so by altering an original document he had obtained from his former co-tenant without the latter's knowledge or consent. The victim then asked her employer for help to verify one of the applications on MOM's website. Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew said: 'When the victim discovered that there was no such application and asked the accused about it, the accused lied to the victim that the approval was not shown on the website as full payment had not been made. 'The accused assured the victim that he would give her a password to access the information on MOM's website after full payment was made.' After the victim made full payment to Singh, he became uncontactable. She lodged a police report on Dec 26, 2024, and Singh was arrested on April 24. DPP Chew noted that Singh 'spun a web of lies' over two months to cheat the victim and asked for him to be jailed for 14 weeks. Handing down the sentence, District Judge Koh Jiaying said the victim is a foreign domestic worker who would have been more impacted by the loss of money. The judge also said his act of forging MOM documents could erode public trust in the government. Singh said through an interpreter during his mitigation that he felt sorry for what he did. The foreigner, who did not have a lawyer, said: 'I've done a crime and I hope to be punished... only by being punished will I understand the consequences of my actions.'
