Latest news with #IQuit
New Paper
5 days ago
- Health
- New Paper
Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times
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. If you need help to quit vaping, you 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 If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Teenager caught with vapes 5 times sentenced to 2 years at Singapore Boys' Home, Singapore News
A teenager was ordered to stay at the Singapore Boys' Home for 24 months after being caught with vapes on five separate occasions by the Health and Sciences Authority (HSA). His detention at the juvenile rehabilitation centre started on Monday (July 21). On March 19, 2024, the 15-year-old boy was caught possessing two vapes at a McDonald's restaurant in Nex shopping mall , according to charge sheets, reported The Straits Times. He was also caught with vapes on four other occasions from February to October 2024 at Sin Ming Avenue, 201 Serangoon Central and at a HDB void deck at Sumang Walk in Punggol. The boy also faced 15 other charges from the Singapore Police Force when he was hauled to court on July 21, said HSA on Thursday. 2,000 student vape cases in 2024 The Ministry of Health and HSA stated in April 2024 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 Health Promotion Board (HPB) study published in June this year indicated that the adoption of e-vaporisers among youth has risen despite Singapore's total ban on them since 2018. There were 2,000 cases of students, including those from institutes of higher learning, reported for possessing or using e-vaporisers in 2024, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a written parliamentary reply in response to a question by Ms Rachel Ong (West Coast GRC) on Feb 26. 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. However, those caught using or possessing such items will be prosecuted. From July 21, HSA has also extended the operating hours for its hotline to report vaping-related offences. It now operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including public holidays. The authority has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at [[nid:720428]]
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Straits Times
Teen charged after she allegedly sold vaporisers, put up WhatsApp ad showing e-cigarettes
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Albee Chai Buo Yin is expected to plead guilty on Aug 19. SINGAPORE – A teenage girl who allegedly published an advertisement on WhatsApp showing an assortment of e-cigarettes was charged on July 22 with vaping-related offences. Albee Chai Buo Yin, 19, was also charged with one count each of being in possession of seven vaporisers in a Jurong West Housing Board flat and engaging in the sale of three disposable vaporisers. The Singaporean teenager, who is accused of committing the offences between August and December 2024, is expected to plead guilty on Aug 19. 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 found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. If you need help to quit vaping, you can join the Health Promotion Board's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'poreans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Changi Airport's passenger traffic crosses 17.5 million mark in Q2 2025 Singapore 2 charged over alleged involvement in posting of bail for man who subsequently absconded Opinion Singapore's vaping crisis lays bare the drug addiction nightmare for parents Multimedia 'It's very sad': She comforts loved ones turned away by inmates Singapore LTA seeks tailored solutions to improve Bukit Panjang LRT's maintenance inspections World Trump 'caught off guard' by Israel's strikes in Syria Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving 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.
New Paper
17-07-2025
- Business
- New Paper
HSA removes over 600 Telegram groups selling, advertising vapes
More than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The agency said on July 16 that these channels promoting vapes have been removed since April 2024. This is the first time HSA is releasing figures on the number of Telegram groups being taken down for selling vapes. In May 2025, HSA and the Ministry of Health said in a statement that more than 6,800 online listings of vapes and their related components were removed from e-commerce and social media platforms from January 2024 to March 2025. The figure is more than double the 3,100 listings removed in 2023. Those platforms included Facebook, Instagram and Carousell, but not Telegram. On July 16, HSA said its Tobacco Regulation Branch has been actively monitoring and enforcing the ban on advertisements and sales of vapes, both offline and online. The agency said that using automated tools, it actively tracks online listings, social media posts and messaging platforms to detect and remove illegal advertisements and posts. Its spokesman said: "HSA has also intensified operations against both physical and online distribution networks, strengthened border controls with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, and increased enforcement presence in public spaces where vaping is prevalent." Checks by The Straits Times on July 16 showed that at least 12 Telegram channels previously selling and promoting vapes are no longer active. When clicked on, an alert read: "Not available. This group can't be displayed because it violated local laws (Singapore)." Checks by ST on July 16 showed at least 12 Telegram channels previously selling and promoting vapes were no longer active. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM TELEGRAM However, there were at least 10 channels still selling vapes and Kpods on Telegram. One channel had more than 27,000 members, while another had over 23,000. On one channel, around eight messages would be sent every minute to its members, listing the flavours available and the prices. When ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. Others, however, continued with a flurry of texts in a bid to attract buyers. In reply to ST's queries, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) said 116,800 participants joined its I Quit programme, designed to help people quit smoking and vaping, from May 2014 to December 2024. HPB said the programme does not keep track of which participants are smokers or vape users. From January 2024 to March 2025, close to 1,800 young people received vaping and smoking cessation counselling. HPB added that during the same period, almost 118,500 students from schools and institutes of higher learning were involved in activities aimed at raising awareness about the harms of vaping. Citing the World Health Organisation, HPB said vapes are harmful to one's health, warning that they are not safer alternatives to regular cigarettes. It said studies have shown that vaping is associated with increased risk of developing heart and lung diseases and poses significant threat to brain health, especially in younger users as their brains are still developing. HPB added: "The presence of etomidate found in e-vaporiser pods seized by the authorities reinforces our concerns about the dangers of vaping and the potential presence of other harmful substances in vape pods, which vape abusers may unknowingly be exposed to." Used in hospitals for inducing sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and never intended to be inhaled. When vaped, etomidate enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@ Helplines Mental well-being National helpline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA
Find out what's new on ST website and app. This is the first time HSA is releasing figures on the number of Telegram groups being taken down for selling vapes. SINGAPORE – More than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The agency said on July 16 that these channels promoting vapes have been removed since April 2024. This is the first time HSA is releasing figures on the number of Telegram groups being taken down for selling vapes. In May 2025, HSA and the Ministry of Health said in a statement that more than 6,800 online listings of vapes and its related components were removed from e-commerce and social media platforms from January 2024 to March 2025. The figure was more than double the 3,100 listings removed in 2023. These platforms included Facebook, Instagram and Carousell, but not Telegram. On July 16, HSA said its Tobacco Regulation Branch has been actively monitoring and enforcing the ban on advertisements and sales of vapes, both offline and online. Using automated tools, the agency said it actively tracks online listings, social media posts and messaging platforms to detect and remove illegal advertisements and posts. Its spokesman said: 'HSA has also intensified operations against both physical and online distribution networks, strengthened border controls with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, and increased enforcement presence in public spaces where vaping is prevalent.' Checks by ST on July 16 showed at least 12 Telegram channels previously selling and promoting vapes are no longer active. When clicked on, an alert read: 'Not available. This group can't be displayed because it violated local laws (Singapore).' Checks by ST on July 16 showed at least 12 Telegram channels previously selling and promoting vapes were no longer active. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM TELEGRAM However, there were at least 10 channels still selling vapes and Kpods on Telegram. One channel had more than 27,000 members, while another had more than 23,000. On one channel, around eight messages would be sent every minute to its members, listing the flavours available and the prices. When ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis , on July 13, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. Others, however, continued with a flurry of texts in a bid to attract buyers. In reply to ST's queries, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) said 116,800 participants have joined its I Quit programme , designed to help participants quit smoking and vaping, from May 2014 to December 2024. HPB said the programme does not keep track of which participants are smokers or vape users. From January 2024 to March 2025, close to 1,800 young people received vaping and smoking cessation counselling. HPB added that during the same period, almost 118,500 students from schools and institutes of higher learning were involved in activities aimed at raising awareness about the harms of vaping. Citing the World Health Organisation, HPB said vapes are harmful to one's health , warning that vapes are not safer alternatives to regular cigarettes. It said studies have shown that vaping is associated with increased risk of developing heart and lung diseases and poses significant threat to brain health, especially in younger users as their brains are still developing. HPB added: 'The presence of etomidate found in e-vaporiser pods seized by authorities reinforces our concerns about the dangers of vaping and the potential presence of other harmful substances that could be present in vape pods, which vape abusers may unknowingly be exposed to.' Used in hospitals for inducing sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and never intended to be inhaled. When vaped, etomidate enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@
