A man caught on a MRT train using an e-vaporiser has been fined for the offence, the Health Sciences Authority HSA said on Saturday. It was alerted to the incident on February 14 after an article was published on the STOMP website. A man in a video sitting on the train floor holding what appears to be an e-vaporiser, was seen in a video sitting barefoot on the floor.
Train operator SMRT said the incident took place on the East-West Line on February 4 at around 11.30 pm.
Our staff at Simei MRT station reported a male commuter vaping in the train going towards Pasir Ris. After notification, we immediately checked with staff from other stations and examined CCTV footage for the man, the President of SMRT Trains, Mr Lam Sheau Kai, said in response to CNA queries.
The 45-year-old man was identified with the help of the police.
According to the HSA, the man claimed that the e-vaporiser was found on the streets and he has since thrown it away.
After further investigations, he was issued a composition fine for the illegal use of an e-vaporiser, according to the agency, which did not reveal the amount of the fine.
Offenders can be fined up to S $2,000.
The man had blatantly flouted the law by using an e-vaporiser in plain sight of commuters on the train, said HSA.
HSA will take stern actions against any person who contravenes the law, because they have a very serious view on the possession and use of banned e-vaporisers and related items.