A nine-year-old girl was offered a vape by a stranger while taking public transport on 15 Aug 2025.
Zhang, 42, told 8world News that her daughter was on bus service 173 around 4:00PM when the incident occurred. The girl was heading to her piano lesson at Clementi Bus Interchange.
Stranger Approaches Schoolgirl with E-Cigarette on Public Transport
A man approximately 50 to 60 years old had tapped the girl’s left shoulder. He handed her a purple e-cigarette and said: “Do you want this? There’s nothing inside, just try it.”
The girl shook her head firmly and ignored the man. She moved to a seat closer to the bus captain.
The stranger alighted at Clementi Bus Interchange together with the girl. He walked in a different direction after getting off the bus.
Zhang described the incident as “really creepy”. She said she never expected her daughter to be approached by someone trying to get her to vape, while wearing her school uniform in broad daylight.
“It’s truly chilling,” Zhang said.
The mother noted her daughter should have informed the bus captain about the incident. However, the child was likely too young and shocked to react properly.
Government Treats E-Cigarette Cases as Drug Problem
Zhang reported the matter to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). She also informed her daughter’s school about what happened.
The mother hopes authorities will take the issue seriously. She wants stricter punishment imposed on these individuals to prevent more people from being harassed or led astray.
A similar incident occurred in July. Two teenagers allegedly approached a Primary 4 student walking home from school on 25 Jul 2025. They tried to get him to buy a vape near a pedestrian crossing at Dover Rise, about five minutes’ walk from Fairfield Methodist School.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at the National Day Rally on 17 Aug 2025 that the government will treat e-cigarettes as a drug problem. Stricter penalties will be implemented.
How to Report E-Cigarette Violations
The HSA operates hotlines for reporting e-cigarette-related violations at 6684 2036 and 6684 2037.
Members of the public can also fill out an online form at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape to provide information about e-cigarette violations.
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
