The Singapore legal system has signaled a significantly tougher stance on vaping-related offenses with the sentencing of Orison Toh Chun Kee on January 7 2026. The 29-year-old associate engineer was handed an eight-week jail term for the possession and offering for sale of 1,639 vape devices and pods. This sentence represents a massive departure from the one-week jail term and fine originally sought by the Health Sciences Authority. The prosecution revised its submission following a court directive in August 2025 to re-evaluate sentencing for all vape offenses, citing increased public interest and a shift in government policy. In the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that vaping would be treated as a drug issue, a stance reflected in this case. Toh was apprehended on September 3 2024 after HSA officers observed him collecting a large consignment of vapes. District Judge Terence Tay emphasized that delivery drivers act as critical interfaces in illicit operations and that detection is difficult, necessitating a stiff deterrent sentence.
In a separate and more complex case involving drug-laced vapes, 23-year-old Law Jia Yi was sentenced to 15 months and 25 weeks of imprisonment on January 6 2026. Her extensive list of charges included the possession of etomidate-laced vapes (Kpods), methamphetamine consumption, and several traffic offenses. The case came to light on October 22 2024 when Law, who did not possess a valid driving license, lost control of a rented car on Siloso Road in Sentosa and crashed into a railing. Police discovered a foldable knife and 98 vape pods in the vehicle, 91 of which were confirmed to contain etomidate. Law admitted to purchasing the pods via Telegram for personal use and occasional sale to friends. Her history of reoffending was a key factor in her sentence; she had been arrested previously in August 2024 for drug consumption and possession of Kpods in Yishun, and again in January 2025 for taking her boyfriend’s company car without permission and driving to Marina Bay Sands while under the influence of drugs.
Meanwhile, Hwa Chong Institution has come under intense public scrutiny following the launch of its new hybrid canteen model on January 2 2026. The controversy began when photos of pre-prepared bento meals, provided in partnership with SATS, went viral on social media platforms like Reddit. Netizens and students alike criticized the food, with some describing the portions as insufficient and the taste as comparable to "grass" or "watered-down" chicken. In response to the backlash, the school issued a statement on January 6 2026, claiming that the circulating images did not accurately reflect typical portion standards or the overall quality of the meals. However, several students interviewed by the media maintained that the photos were an accurate representation of the black pepper pasta and chicken rice dishes being served. The school explained that the move to a central kitchen model was necessary to address manpower shortages and reduce long queue times. To address the concerns of the community, Hwa Chong has invited parent and student representatives to taste the food and is in the process of setting up a canteen review committee to oversee food quality and pricing.
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