S'porean woman, 26, known as 'Mermaid Girl' influencer, advertised vapes for sale on Telegram, fined S$3,500

Singaporean influencer Eunice Joy Ng, known online as "Mermaid Girl", was fined S$3,500 after advertising vapes for sale on Telegram.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty on May 29 to one count of publishing an advertisement

containing an express suggestion to purchase imitation tobacco products and contravened the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993, Shin Min Daily News and CNA reported.

Sale

Ng bought vapes for resale to supplement her income around November 2025.

She bought five vapes from a seller on Telegram for S$13 each.

Ng then advertised the devices on Telegram stories and admitted to selling two at S$15 each.

She posted the advertisements on her Telegram account to generate interest in her business.

She continued doing so until around December 2025.

In court documents seen by Mothership, around that time period, Ng posted a Telegram story through her account named “Galantis99”.

“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,” the story caption read.

“A bit high”

Ng, who attended court without a lawyer, indicated she would settle the fine.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prosecuting counsel sought a S$4,000 fine.

Ng claimed the amount was "a bit high" for her.

She said it was her first time facing such a charge and asked the court for leniency.

The HSA prosecuting counsel argued that, given the public health concerns surrounding vapes, the sentence should have a deterrent effect.

10 days' jail if she can't pay fine

In delivering the sentence, the judge said that while punishment should serve as a deterrence, it must also be proportionate to the offence.

Taking into account that Ng had sold two vapes for profit, he imposed a fine of S$3,500.

Ng would have had to serve 10 days' jail in default if she could not pay the fine.

Checks on her Telegram channel showed it was still active as of May 29 with 3,252 subscribers.

For advertising vapes for sale, she could have faced a jail term of up to six months, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

Starting May 1, 2026, vape users are liable for fines of up to S$10,000, while sellers can be handed fines of up to S$200,000 and six years’ jail, under the new Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act.