Ang Kim Chui Derek Andre, a 37-year-old youth guidance officer, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to seven charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act in Singapore. Fourteen additional charges were considered during the sentencing phase.
He had helped his colleagues buy electronic cigarettes, more commonly known as vapes, and was fined $3,500 for his offences, according to The Straits Times.
The Informant
The case began to unfold in May 2021 when the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) received a report from an employee of the Youth Residential Service at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). The anonymous informant revealed that a staff member at the Singapore Boys’ Home had been caught with a vape pod within the premises for the third time. The staff member, who also worked as a youth guidance officer, was implicated in this report.
The Investigation
Prompted by this report, HSA enforcement officers conducted an operation at the staff member’s home on the same day. During the search, they discovered an e-cigarette device and 26 e-cigarette pods. Further investigations revealed that these illicit items were procured from Ang, the youth guidance officer.
Ang’s Involvement
Ang’s involvement in this case didn’t end with a single transaction. It was uncovered that he had assisted seven of his colleagues at the Singapore Boys’ Home in purchasing e-cigarette devices and pods for their personal use. To facilitate these purchases, one of Ang’s colleagues created a WhatsApp group chat and added interested staff members from the facility.
Ang played a central role in this process. He would consolidate the orders, make purchases from his supplier, and distribute the illicit products to his colleagues. It’s important to note that there was no evidence to suggest that Ang had shared or purchased imitation tobacco products and their components for the youths at the home. Additionally, he did not profit from facilitating group purchases within the WhatsApp group.
Legal Implications
It’s crucial to understand the legal implications of this case. The Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act in Singapore strictly prohibits the purchase of components of an imitation tobacco product. These components can include mods, tanks, coils, and pods. Those caught using, owning, or purchasing vaping products can be fined up to $2,000.