A former Singapore Health and Science Agency (HSSA) authorized enforcement officer has been charged with leaking e-cigarette enforcement intelligence in a bribery case

Sep.05.2025
A former Singapore Health and Science Agency (HSSA) authorized enforcement officer has been charged with leaking e-cigarette enforcement intelligence in a bribery case
A former e-cigarette enforcement chief in Singapore has been charged with accepting a S$8,000 (US$6,200) bribe after repeatedly providing intelligence to a man involved in an upcoming Health Sciences Authority (HSA) e-cigarette crackdown in 2024.

Key Points:

 

·Law enforcement supervisor accused of taking bribes: Michael Anthony Pillay has been charged with accepting bribes. 

·Bribe amount: Pillay is accused of soliciting a total of 8000 yuan in bribes on multiple occasions. 

·Information exchange: The bribes were given in exchange for information on an upcoming e-cigarette crackdown by the Health Sciences Bureau. 

·Case proceedings: The case was brought to court on October 5th, with Pillay not hiring a lawyer, leading to a postponement of the case until next month. 

·Connection to smuggling case: The implicated Cai Weiming is connected to a separate e-cigarette smuggling case and is currently in custody awaiting trial.

 


 

2Firsts, September 5, 2025 - A company executive authorized by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to conduct e-cigarette enforcement operations has been charged with corruption. The 34-year-old defendant, Michael Anthony Pillay, is the Chief Enforcement Officer at WSH Experts Pte Ltd.

 

Pillay allegedly solicited $8,000 in bribes from a man named Chua Wee Ming in 2024. In exchange, he offered information about upcoming e-cigarette raids by the HSA. When the case was brought before the court on September 5, Pillay did not have a lawyer and requested time to hire one. The case has been adjourned to next month.

 

Chua Wee Ming, a 34-year-old Malaysian man, is linked to a previous e-cigarette smuggling case. He is suspected of smuggling thousands of e-cigarettes and related components into Singapore and recruiting others to assist in the operation. Chua was arrested in October 2024 and is currently in custody awaiting trial. Two other individuals involved in the case have already been sentenced to imprisonment.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

South Korea’s President Raises Safety Concerns Over Nicotine Alternatives at Cabinet Meeting
South Korea’s President Raises Safety Concerns Over Nicotine Alternatives at Cabinet Meeting
South Korea’s Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Tobacco Business Act that legally classifies liquid e-cigarettes as tobacco products. Under the revision, any product containing tobacco or nicotine will fall under tobacco regulation, explicitly including synthetic nicotine vapes. The move addresses long-standing regulatory and taxation gaps.
Dec.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Georgia Lawmakers Push School Safety Bills Targeting Phones, Vaping and Firearm Safety Education
Georgia Lawmakers Push School Safety Bills Targeting Phones, Vaping and Firearm Safety Education
Georgia lawmakers are weighing new education bills that would tighten classroom phone rules, introduce firearm safety education from an early age, and require vape detectors in all high schools. Supporters argue the measures are needed to address mounting concerns around student safety, mental health and the growing presence of vaping on campuses.
Jan.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Virginia Seeks to Dismiss E-Cigarette Ban Challenge, Citing Lack of Legal Standing
Virginia Seeks to Dismiss E-Cigarette Ban Challenge, Citing Lack of Legal Standing
The Virginia Attorney General and tax commissioner have urged a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on unapproved e-cigarettes, arguing that the companies behind the suit lack legal standing since their products are federally illegal. The state contends the plaintiffs, Novo Distro Inc. and Tobacco Hut and Vape Fairfax Inc., have no lawful right to sell unapproved vapes and cannot show irreparable harm.
Dec.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
San Francisco reaches $1 million settlement with nicotine pouch retailer Lucy Goods
San Francisco reaches $1 million settlement with nicotine pouch retailer Lucy Goods
In the United States, California, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu announced a $1 million settlement requiring online tobacco retailer Lucy Goods, Inc. to stop shipping illegal tobacco products into San Francisco.
Jan.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mexico Passes Law Banning Commercial Sale and Advertising of Vapes and E-Cigarettes
Mexico Passes Law Banning Commercial Sale and Advertising of Vapes and E-Cigarettes
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional reform prohibiting the production, import, export, transport, distribution, sale, and advertising of vapes and e-cigarettes nationwide. The law does not ban personal use of such products. Backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, the amendment to the General Health Law imposes penalties of one to eight years in prison and fines between 11,314 and 226,280 pesos (approximately USD 621–12,430).
Dec.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
GEEKBAR Announces Restock on Social Media, Pulse and Pulse X Lines Back in Stock
GEEKBAR Announces Restock on Social Media, Pulse and Pulse X Lines Back in Stock
GEEKBAR has announced a new round of restocking across multiple overseas social media platforms, bringing its flagship Pulse and Pulse X product lines back on sale, with several previously hard-to-find flavors returning simultaneously, alongside the launch of the new Thermal Edition.
Dec.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai