About 40 people caught for vaping offences via screening at MRT stations

Cases detected through security checks using X-ray machines, walk-through metal detectors

- Christine Tan

Stopped for checks at a metal detector near the fare gates of Bishan MRT station, a teenager dropped his leather bag and fled.

Security officers spotted him throwing something into the bushes outside the station, and discovered it was a turquoise e-vaporiser that looked like a highlighter.

The teen returned to the station to retrieve his bag and admitted the vape was his.

Mr Muhammad Altamis, an SMRT Trains station manager at Bishan MRT station, confiscated the device and handed the teen’s particulars to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

This happened on Sept 29 when the media was invited by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to witness how front-line officers conducted anti-vaping patrols at Bishan Bus Interchange and MRT station.

About 60 people were caught for vaping offences at MRT stations or bus interchanges, and on trains, buses, public paths or roads, between Aug 18 and Sept 29.

LTA had announced stepped-up enforcement efforts on Aug 18.

More than 90 per cent of the cases on public transport, or about 40 cases, were caught through security screening, via X-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors at MRT stations.