Latest news with #e-vaporisers
Independent Singapore
4 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Vapes on the rise: 16-year-old boy caught with 54 vape pods at home
SINGAPORE: The authorities have been cracking down on the use of e-vaporisers, also known as vapes, which are illegal in Singapore. A statement released by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Sunday (Jul 20) says that it is increasing its reporting channels for vape-related offences starting from Jul 21. 'The hotline service to report vaping-related offences will be expanded to operate seven days a week with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. HSA will also be launching a new online reporting platform, making it more convenient for the public to report illegal e-vaporiser activities,' the statement reads. The statement gave several examples of incidents of people getting caught with vapes in their possession, largely due to public tip-offs on official feedback channels. Notable among these examples is that of a 16-year-old boy, who was found with a large number of vaporiser pods in his home. These pods are used in a smaller type of portable vaping device. Because they are easier to use than other types, many young users prefer them. The teenage boy was caught on May 22, when his home was raided by officers from HSA. The driver of a private-hire car reported the boy and his friend, another 16-year-old male, after they reportedly vaped in his car while travelling along the Bukit Timah Expressway on May 18. After the traffic police seized two vapes from one of the boys, his house was searched during a follow-up check by an HSA officer. They seized 54 e-vaporiser pods and three e-vaporisers. Fortunately, no vapes or pods were found in the home of the other boy. Alarmingly, some of the pods that were seized by HSA were found to contain etomidate, an anaesthetic which can cause addiction and physical dependence. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Sunday that Singapore is now working towards listing it as an illegal drug. 'Vaping, especially those that are laced with etomidate, is increasing. It is causing quite serious concern amongst agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health,' he told reporters. At present, individuals who use drug-laced pods are subject to fines. However, when etomidate is listed under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act, users 'will be treated no differently from those who consume hard drugs and narcotics, such as cannabis or cocaine,' CNA reports Mr Ong as adding. HSA also said in its statement that a 21-year-old man who was allegedly distributing e-vaporisers and components in Bishan and Ubi was caught on July 11, and when the authority conducted raids, it was able to seize almost three tonnes of vapes. In May, HSA identified a 24-year-old man vaping in a lift at Sim Lim Square and conducted a raid at his home. Officers were able to seize two e-vaporisers from his residence. 'With effect from 21 July 2025, those who have information on the illegal advertisement, import, distribution, sale or possession of e-vaporisers can contact HSA to support our enforcement efforts through two convenient channels,' HSA said. Members of the public may submit information through the online reporting form found here or scan the QR code found at the bottom of this page. /TISG Read also: Man claims someone put a vape in his bag while he was traveling to SG from Japan
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities
SINGAPORE - The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is planning to buy a cyber surveillance tool specifically targeting illegal vaping activities online. Such activities include the sale and promotion of e-vaporisers on social networks. Its search functions are expected to be extensive and include phone numbers, email and IP addresses. HSA put up the tender on the GeBiz platform on March 28 and closed it on April 15. GeBIZ, or Government Electronic Business, is the Singapore Government's one-stop e-procurement portal. All public sector invitations for quotations and tenders are posted on the platform. Tender documents indicate that the tool will be for both HSA and the Ministry of Health. Two suppliers have responded to the posting. Cobwebs Asia, the Singapore office of US web surveillance company Penlink, made a bid of $959,053. Penlink merged with Israeli surveillance contractor Cobwebs Technologies in 2023. The second supplier is Singaporean digital forensics company, Talon Laboratories, which made a bid of $422,000. The company was founded by digital forensic professionals who were previously from local law enforcement agencies. Both bidders boast platforms powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that can profile users and track their online activity in real-time. The requirements set out in the tender include search functions across social media, forums and blogs. It should also be able to analyse profiles and score them based on the level of risk, with AI-based analysis methods for deep target profiling. Optional modules requested are for enhanced web investigations with location-based insights. The tender has not been awarded yet. The Straits Times has contacted HSA for comment. A large number of vape transactions here are arranged over the Telegram messaging platform, which HSA monitors alongside social media sites and e-commerce platforms. HSA said on July 16 it had removed over 600 Telegram groups advertising the sale of vapes here since April 2024. More than 6,800 online listings of vapes and its related components were previously removed from e-commerce and social media platforms from January 2024 to March 2025. HSA said its Tobacco Regulation Branch has been actively monitoring and enforcing the ban on advertisements and sales of vapes online using automated tools. When ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. The campaign aims to raise awareness on the vape scourge. Of particular concern is the rise of etomidate-laced vapes, also known as 'Kpods'. Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. It was designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision, and was never meant to be inhaled directly into the lungs. When vaped, it can trigger spams, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. Kpods have reportedly been pushed in Singapore by organised crime groups, with the local authorities now intensifying crackdowns. Public healthcare institutions have also been told to record all Kpod cases. 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 have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@ Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
CNA
16-05-2025
- CNA
Over 1,000 vapes and related components found in car after fatal Punggol accident
SINGAPORE: More than 1,000 e-vaporisers and related components were found in a car that was involved in a fatal accident, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Thursday (May 15). The accident, involving a car and a public bus, happened on Tuesday at about 2.50pm along Punggol Road towards the Tampines Expressway (TPE). The 30-year-old car driver was sent conscious to hospital, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said. His 28-year-old female passenger was also taken to the hospital, but she subsequently died. Police said they later found e-vaporiser pods in the car, adding that they would refer e-vaporiser-related offences to HSA. Responding to CNA queries, HSA said that more than 1,000 e-vaporisers and related components were discovered. "The driver is assisting the Health Sciences Authority in investigations related to e-vaporiser offences," it added. In pictures posted by Shin Min Daily News, the car had rear-ended the bus near the junction of Punggol Road and Sengkang East Way. The car appeared badly damaged, with its hood crumpled and its windshield smashed. The bus was also damaged in its left rear section. Police investigations are ongoing. HSA said it is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components. Any person convicted of an offence may be fined up to S$10,000 (US$7,700), jailed for up to six months, or both for the first offence. A second or subsequent offence could see a fine of up to S$20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.
CNA
15-05-2025
- CNA
Over 1,000 e-vaporisers and related components found in car after fatal Punggol accident
SINGAPORE: More than 1,000 e-vaporisers and related components were found in a car that was involved in a fatal accident, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Thursday (May 15). The accident, involving a car and a public bus, happened on Tuesday at about 2.50pm along Punggol Road towards the Tampines Expressway (TPE). The 30-year-old car driver was sent conscious to hospital, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said. His 28-year-old female passenger was also taken to the hospital, but she subsequently died. Police said they later found e-vaporiser pods in the car, adding that they would refer e-vaporiser-related offences to HSA. Responding to CNA queries, HSA said that more than 1,000 e-vaporisers and related components were discovered. "The driver is assisting the Health Sciences Authority in investigations related to e-vaporiser offences," it added. In pictures posted by Shin Min Daily News, the car had rear-ended the bus near the junction of Punggol Road and Sengkang East Way. The car appeared badly damaged, with its hood crumpled and its windshield smashed. The bus was also damaged in its left rear section. Police investigations are ongoing. HSA said it is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components. Any person convicted of an offence may be fined up to S$10,000 (US$7,700), jailed for up to six months, or both for the first offence. A second or subsequent offence could see a fine of up to S$20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.
