Singapore Woman Charged for Selling E-Cigarettes Online, Faces Up to 6 Months’ Jail

Key Points:

·Overview of the incident: A 19-year-old Singaporean woman has been charged for selling e-cigarettes on WhatsApp and possessing e-cigarettes. 

·Charges: She faces three charges, including advertising e-cigarettes, selling e-cigarettes, and possessing e-cigarettes. 

·Specific actions: On August 3, 2024, she sold three disposable e-cigarettes to a person named Javier via WhatsApp. 

·On October 22, 2024, she promoted Lanae-cigarettes by posting pictures on WhatsApp. 

On December 19, 2024, she was found in possession of six disposable e-cigarettes and one pod-based e-cigarette. 

·Legal consequences: If convicted for selling or advertising e-cigarettes, she could face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 Singapore dollars (approximately $7,800 USD), or both. 

If convicted for possession of e-cigarettes for non-sale purposes, she could face a fine of up to $2,000 Singapore dollars (approximately $1,563 USD). 

·Enforcement background: The prosecution comes after the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) intensified efforts to crack down on illegal e-cigarette activities, with over 2,500 reports received in the first half of 2025, surpassing the total of 3,000 reports for the entire year of 2024.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report by CNA on July 22, a Singaporean teenager is facing charges for selling e-cigarette devices on WhatsApp and owning his own e-cigarette.

A 19-year-old suspect was charged with three counts under the Tobacco (Advertisement and Sale Control) Act on July 22, including promoting e-cigarettes, selling e-cigarettes, and possessing e-cigarettes.

According to court documents, the Singaporean individual sold three disposable e-cigarettes to a person named Javier via WhatsApp on August 3, 2024.

She was accused of posting a series of Lana e-cigarette photos on WhatsApp on October 22, 2024, to promote counterfeit tobacco products.

On December 19, 2024, police discovered the defendant in possession of six disposable e-cigarettes and one e-cigarette with a pod.

When asked if she pleaded guilty, she stated that she would plead guilty and has been granted a hearing in August.

If convicted for selling e-cigarettes or promoting their sale, she could face up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000 Singapore dollars (approximately $7,800 USD), or both.

If found guilty of possessing an e-cigarette for non-commercial purposes, she could face a fine of up to 2000 Singapore dollars (approximately 1563 US dollars).

This lawsuit comes after the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and other agencies have strengthened enforcement efforts and cracked down on violations of e-cigarettes, particularly among the student population.

According to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the number of e-cigarette reports received in the first half of 2025 has already surpassed 2500 cases, compared to over 3000 cases for the entire year of 2024.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) launched a new online reporting form on July 21st for people to report illegal e-cigarette activities.