Singaporean social media influencer Eunice Joy Ng, better known online as “Mermaid Girl,” was fined S$3,500 on Friday (May 29) after admitting to advertising electronic vaporisers for sale on Telegram.
Ng, 26, pleaded guilty to one charge of publishing an advertisement that encouraged the purchase of imitation tobacco products, an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993.
The legislation was recently renamed the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 to reflect a stronger focus on regulating e-vaporisers, with the updated law taking effect on May 1.
According to CNA, appearing in court without legal representation, Ng informed the court that she intended to pay the fine imposed. Her social media accounts, where she was known as “Mermaid Girl,” appear to have since been removed.
According to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Ng began purchasing vapes for resale around November 2025 in an effort to supplement her income. She bought five vaporiser devices from a Telegram seller at S$13 each.
The court heard that Ng subsequently advertised the products through Telegram Stories and sold two devices for S$15 each. She continued posting promotional content on the platform until around December 2025.
One of the advertisements included the message: “For those who want me to get vape for them, you can send me your preorder list, and I will try to get them. If there is high demand, I will set up a Google form.”
HSA prosecuting counsel Nur Afiqah sought a fine of S$4,000, arguing that stronger deterrence was necessary due to increasing concerns over the spread and use of vapes in Singapore.
Ng, however, appealed for a lower penalty, telling the court that the proposed amount was “a bit high” for her and noting that it was her first offence. She also said she did not understand the basis for the prosecution’s sentencing request.
In response, the prosecution maintained that the fine was appropriate given the enforcement environment and the public health risks associated with e-vaporisers.
During the hearing, District Judge Terence Tay noted that previous cases cited by the prosecution involved offenders who had additional charges taken into consideration during sentencing. He questioned whether those differences had been factored into the prosecution’s recommendation.
While acknowledging that the earlier cases involved multiple charges, the prosecution argued that deterrence should carry greater weight in the current climate.
Delivering his decision, Judge Tay emphasized that the growing public health concerns surrounding e-vaporisers justified a deterrent sentence. However, he added that any punishment imposed should remain proportionate and not be excessive.
The judge ultimately imposed a fine of S$3,500. Had Ng failed to pay the amount, she would have faced 10 days’ imprisonment in default.
Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993, individuals convicted of advertising vaporisers for sale can face penalties of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
Image via Google
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