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School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil
Officers from the Health Sciences Authority questioning teenagers at Woodlands Civic Centre on July 14, as they prepare to search their bags.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Published Jul 30, 2025, 07:10 PM
Updated Jul 31, 2025, 01:13 PM
SNGAPORE – A Primary 4 pupil from Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) was approached by two teenagers who tried to get the child to buy an e-vaporiser.
The incident happened on July 25. As the pupil was walking home from school, two older boys made the approach at a zebra crossing along Dover Rise.
The pupil declined the offer and walked away from the teens.
FMS (Primary) principal Soh Mei Foong told The Straits Times that the school has reported the incident to the authorities.
She said: “Students were informed of the incident and reminded not to engage with strangers and to inform trusted adults should they be approached by any stranger or suspicious person.
“As a precautionary measure, the school will monitor activities in the vicinity of the school premises after school.”
Parents had shared details of the incident in various chat groups.
A parent, who gave her name only as Ms Wong, said her daughter in FMS (Secondary) mentioned that students were told at morning assembly on July 28 that a police report had been made.
Ms Wong, 49, said: “I worry for my child’s safety because they are young and they probably don’t know the consequences of vaping, especially Kpods.”
Kpods are vapes laced with synthetic drugs such as etomidate. Abusing etomidate through vaping can lead to muscle spasms, respiratory depression and psychosis.
Parents in the chat groups called for adults to look out for strangers near the school premises.
Ms Wong said: “Parents who pick up their kids after school can be an ‘extra pair of eyes’, to ensure the students are safe.”
Mr Kelvin Koh, 50, said parents in the chat groups were alerted to the incident.
The father of two boys – one in FMS (Primary) and the other in FMS (Secondary) – said he had seen notices earlier in 2025 at the primary school’s foyer and canteen warning pupils of the dangers of vaping.
Mr Koh said: “I was surprised. It’s basically like ‘no smoking’ signs in primary school, which I thought was a bit young for a primary school. Who in the world would be vaping in a primary school?”
He also said parents in the chat groups suggested that they take pictures of suspicious activities in the area and alert the authorities.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) told ST that students’ safety is a top priority, and school personnel and security remain vigilant for any suspicious activities that may pose threats to students.
“School personnel are provided with resources on smoking and vaping prevention, and procedures to report smoking and vaping cases to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). These include ‘No Vaping’ signage placed in school compounds,” said an MOE spokesperson.
The MOE said school leaders and key personnel share resources and regularly engage in discussion on student-related matters. It includes collaboration on strategies to better manage student matters in school, including smoking and vaping.
MOE added that parents also play an important role in vaping and drug prevention.
Since 2023, MOE has been working with the Health Promotion Board and HSA to issue joint advisories to parents of students in primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges and centralised institutes via MOE’s Parents Gateway portal every semester.
“These advisories emphasise both the illegality of vapes and their harmful health effects, raise awareness on the issue, and share useful tips on how parents can engage their children in conversations and support them,” said the MOE spokesperson.
Ms Rachel Ong, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, who oversees Telok Blangah, flagged the incident on her Facebook and Instagram pages.
She said on Instagram: “This happened in broad daylight. Thankfully, he (the Primary 4 pupil) knew to walk away, but not all our children may know how to respond.”
Ms Ong also urged parents to speak to their children about how to react in such situations.
In 2024, there were
2,000 cases of students,
from primary to institutes of higher learning, reported for possessing or using vapes.
This is an increase from 800 cases in 2022 and 900 cases in 2023.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced on July 20 that etomidate found in Kpods
will be classified as a Class C illegal drug
under the Misuse of Drugs Act, carrying heavier penalties for possession and trafficking.
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.
To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA reporting hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays.
The public can report online at
www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
