A Primary 4 student was approached by two teenagers who tried to sell the child an e-cigarette, also known as a vape. This incident reportedly took place near Fairfield Methodist School (Primary).
The incident happened on July 25, as the student was walking home from school at a zebra crossing on Dover Rise. The child said no to the older boys’ offer and simply walked away. Ms. Soh Mei Foong, the principal of the primary school, confirmed that they have officially reported this to the police.
Ms. Soh stated that students at the school “were informed of the incident and reminded not to engage with strangers and to inform trusted adults should they be approached by any stranger or suspicious person.” To be extra safe, the school will also be watching the school area more closely after school hours.
Ms. Wong, a parent, mentioned that students at Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary) were told during their assembly on July 28 that a police report had been made.
She specifically pointed out the dangers of some e-vaporiser products. She said, “I worry for my child’s safety because they are young and they probably don’t know the consequences of vaping, especially Kpods.” She was talking about “Kpods,” which sometimes contain strong drugs like etomidate. Vaping etomidate can cause serious health problems, such as muscle twitching, trouble breathing, and even mental health issues.
Ms. Wong proposed that “Parents who pick up their kids after school can be an ‘extra pair of eyes,’ to ensure the students are safe.” Mr. Kelvin Koh, who is 50 and has two sons at the school, confirmed that parents in their groups knew about what happened. He also remembered seeing signs about vaping at the primary school’s entrance and canteen earlier this year, which he found surprising for such young children.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) said that school staff and security guards are always looking out for anything suspicious that could harm students. An MOE spokesperson also shared that school leaders and staff regularly talk about student issues, including how to handle smoking and vaping in schools.
The MOE spokesperson added, “These advisories emphasise both the illegality of vapes and their harmful health effects, raise awareness on the issue, and share useful tips on how parents can engage their children in conversations and support them.”
Ms. Rachel Ong, a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, also shared the incident on her social media pages. She noted, “This happened in broad daylight. Thankfully, he (the Primary 4 pupil) knew to walk away, but not all our children may know how to respond.”
