Metal detectors, X-ray screening at MRT stations caught about 40 vaping offences on public transport
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A teen being caught with a vape at Bishan MRT station on Sept 29.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Follow topic:
- LTA announced increased enforcement against vaping on Aug 18, with about 60 people caught on public transport, paths and roads between Aug 18 and Sept 29. Security screening at MRT stations detected over 90 per cent of cases there.
- Front-line LTA and public transport operator staff can seize vapes. Surveillance, patrols, and inspections are used to catch offenders, while bus captains report vaping passengers.
- Tougher penalties took effect on Sept 1, with first-time Kpod abusers fined $700 (over 18) or $500 (under 18), plus rehabilitation. Repeat offenders face mandatory supervision.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – Stopped for checks at a metal detector near the fare gates of Bishan MRT station, a teenager dropped his leather bag and fled.
Security officers spotted him throwing something into the bushes outside the station, and discovered it was a turquoise e-vaporiser that looked like a highlighter.
The teen returned to the station to retrieve his bag and admitted the vape was his.
Mr Muhammad Altamis, an SMRT Trains station manager at Bishan MRT station, confiscated the device and handed the teen’s particulars to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
This happened on Sept 29 when the media was invited by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to witness how front-line officers conducted anti-vaping patrols at Bishan Bus Interchange and MRT station.
Mr Muhammad Altamis, an SMRT Trains station manager at Bishan MRT station, confiscated the teen's vape and handed his particulars over to HSA.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
About 60 people were caught for vaping offences at MRT stations or bus interchanges, and on trains, buses, public paths or roads, between Aug 18 and Sept 29.
LTA had announced stepped-up enforcement efforts on Aug 18.
More than 90 per cent of the cases on public transport, or about 40 cases, were caught through security screening, via X-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors at MRT stations.
A spokeswoman for LTA said front-line staff from LTA and the public transport operators (PTOs) are empowered under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to serve notices to vape offenders and seize vapes before handing the devices over to HSA.
The spokeswoman said besides using surveillance cameras, PTO staff also conduct patrols, random inspections and checks to catch people who vape.
Meanwhile, LTA enforcement officers look out for such offenders on roads and active mobility paths and at public transport facilities.
Mr Romel Cajandab Sangalla, an SMRT Trains senior station manager at Bishan MRT station, recalled a case on Sept 17 when a 33-year-old man was caught with five vapes in his backpack.
Certis Cisco security officers initially detected three vapes via the metal detector, but a second scan revealed two more devices. The man was fined by the HSA.
Mr Romel Cajandab Sangalla, an SMRT Trains senior station manager at Bishan MRT station, doing his rounds to warn commuters about vaping offences.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Mr Sangalla said: “(The man) was afraid to lose his job. But he needs to take responsibility for bringing an e-vaporiser onto public transport.”
When passengers use vapes on the train, Mr Sangalla said station staff would request that they alight and then check for such devices.
Should the passengers be uncooperative or show symptoms of etomidate addiction, Mr Sangalla said staff would alert the Public Transport Security Command and emergency services if needed.
Mr Desmond Chi, an SBS Transit supervisor at Bishan Bus Interchange, said staff conduct patrols every two hours around the premises to check for people using vapes.
No cases have been detected there so far.
Mr Desmond Chi, an SBS Transit supervisor at Bishan bus interchange, patrolling around smoking corners and looking out for people who vape.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Mr Chi said: “We will check whether they are raising their hands to their mouth discreetly, and if they emit any fruity flavours when they smoke.”
He said a bus captain who spots a passenger vaping will inform the operations control centre, then stop at the nearest bus stop and inform the passenger that his case will be handed over to HSA.
Should the passenger alight, the bus captain will hand over CCTV footage of the passenger to HSA.
Certis Cisco officers demonstrating a security screening at Bishan MRT station on Sept 29.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
There have been incidents of a national serviceman teenager a woman vaping on a public bus or an MRT train
More than 10,000 officers
On Sept 22, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in Parliament that more than 10,000 vaping cases had been detected by HSA in the first eight months of 2025.
Tougher penalties against those found in possession of, using or purchasing the devices took effect on Sept 1 owing to the urgent situation involving vapes,
First-time Kpod abusers will be fined $700 if they are above 18. Those under 18 will be handed a $500 fine. These offenders must attend rehabilitation for up to six months.
Repeat abusers will be given mandatory supervision for six months.
Kpod abusers aged 16 and above who are caught three times or more will undergo a 12-month regime, which includes treatment in a drug rehabilitation centre, followed by drug testing and supervision.
To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including public holidays. Reports can also be made online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
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