9-Year-Old Girl Approached by Stranger Offering E-Cigarette on Public Bus
A Singapore mother has spoken out after her nine-year-old daughter was allegedly approached by a middle-aged man on a public bus and offered an electronic cigarette. The mother, Mrs Zhang, described the incident as “deeply disturbing”, stressing that her child was in school uniform and travelling in broad daylight when it happened.
According to Mrs Zhang, her daughter was riding Service 173 on 15 August, around 4.10pm, on the way to Clementi bus interchange for a piano lesson. During the journey, a man believed to be in his 50s or 60s tapped the girl on her shoulder before producing a purple-coloured vape device. He then reportedly asked: “Do you want to try? There’s nothing inside – just give it a go.”
The girl firmly refused, moved to another seat closer to the driver, and ignored him. Mrs Zhang later said she was proud of her daughter’s quick response but admitted the incident left the child shaken. “She could have informed the bus captain, but she was too young and in shock,” the mother explained.
Police Report and Public Safety Concerns
The man alighted at Clementi interchange, walking off in another direction. Following the incident, Mrs Zhang reported the matter to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and also alerted her daughter’s school. She hopes schools will continue educating children on how to respond to such situations.
She emphasised the need for parents and children to remain vigilant. “It’s frightening to think that even in uniform, in the middle of the day, kids can be targeted. These individuals must be punished before more children are harmed or misled,” she said.
This is not an isolated case. Just last month, a similar report surfaced where primary school children were approached after class by individuals attempting to sell them e-cigarettes. Schools in those areas have since stepped up patrols and increased safety reminders.
Government Tightens Stance on Vaping
The incident comes shortly after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at the National Day Rally that Singapore will treat vaping as a drug problem, with far tougher penalties in place. Authorities have been stepping up enforcement, with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) also cracking down on people caught vaping on buses and trains.
Members of the public are encouraged to report e-cigarette-related offences through the HSA hotlines at 6684 2036 / 6684 2037 (9am – 9pm daily), or via the official online reporting form at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape.
Parents and commuters alike are reminded that while Singapore maintains one of the strictest bans on e-cigarettes worldwide, vigilance remains key in protecting young children from harmful influences.