Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S’pore Boys’ Home
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The teenager was caught with two vapes at a McDonald’s restaurant at Nex mall on March 19, 2024.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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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 teenager’s placement in 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 in Sin Ming Avenue, at 201 Serangoon Central and at a Housing Board void deck in 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. These charges included robbery with hurt, voluntarily causing hurt and property-related offences.
In a press release in April 2024, the Ministry of Health and HSA said the Ministry of Education will be notified when students are caught 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, their adoption among youth has risen.
In 2024, there were 2,000 cases of students,
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 extended the operating hours for its hotline
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
