Singapore has ramped up its efforts to curb the use and possession of electronic vaporisers (e-vapes) across the city-state. From April 1 to June 30, 2024, approximately 2,530 individuals were apprehended for violations related to e-vaporisers, as revealed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a joint press statement on August 1, 2024. This marks a significant 30% increase from the preceding quarter, where 1,950 individuals were similarly caught between January 1 and March 31, 2024. This surge in enforcement highlights Singapore’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health against the rising tide of electronic vaping devices.
A Coordinated Multi-Agency Effort to Combat Vaping
The steep rise in apprehensions is largely attributed to intensified and coordinated efforts across various government agencies. According to the MOH and HSA, these stringent measures are part of a broader strategy to shield the populace from the harmful effects of electronic vaporisers. A significant portion of these operations targeted “hotspots” within Singapore, including the bustling central business district, popular entertainment venues, and crowded shopping centres. These areas have become focal points for vaping activities, drawing particular attention from enforcement agencies.
Moreover, schools have also become a key battleground in this anti-vaping campaign. During the same period, approximately 690 students were referred to the HSA by school discipline authorities for either possessing or using e-vaporisers. These students faced fines as a consequence of their actions, underlining the government’s zero-tolerance approach to vaping among youths. In addition, enforcement actions in the vicinity of higher learning institutions led to the apprehension of around 40 individuals engaged in similar violations.
Tough Penalties for Student Offenders: A New Era of Vaping Enforcement
Since March 2024, Singapore has imposed stricter penalties on students caught vaping, aligning their punishments with those of adult offenders. This policy shift signifies the government’s resolve to nip the vaping problem in the bud, particularly among young people. Students now face fines of up to S$2,000 (US$1,495) for their first offence, a stark contrast to previous practices where most student offenders were dealt with internally by their respective schools.
The crackdown is not just limited to individual offenders. To prevent vaping from becoming entrenched in Singaporean society, the MOH, HSA, and Health Promotion Board (HPB) have joined forces with other agencies, including the Ministry of Education (MOE), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), National Environment Agency (NEA), and National Parks Board (NParks). These collaborations aim to bolster enforcement efforts across multiple fronts—within the community, in schools, at higher learning institutions, at checkpoints, and even online.
Targeting the Supply Chain: Major Raids on E-Vaporiser Suppliers
Beyond tackling individual offenders, Singapore’s authorities have also directed their efforts towards dismantling the supply chains that fuel the illegal e-vaporiser market. In recent months, several major raids have been conducted, leading to significant seizures of e-vaporiser products and components.
One of the most notable operations occurred on April 24, 2024, when HSA officials seized e-vaporisers and related components valued at more than S$5 million from a warehouse unit in Woodlands Industrial Park. Two Thai nationals, aged 22 and 30, were arrested during the raid. They were subsequently convicted of possessing and selling imitation tobacco products, as well as for committing immigration-related offences. The two men were sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined S$9,000 and S$7,000, respectively.
Another series of raids took place between June 14 and June 18, 2024, where over 350,000 e-vaporisers and components were seized from three separate locations. The street value of the confiscated goods exceeded S$6 million. Four individuals, including two men and two women aged between 34 and 52, were arrested in connection with these operations.
The crackdown on the supply chain continued on July 8, 2024, when HSA disrupted an e-vaporiser distribution network that had been operating on the messaging app Telegram. The operation, which involved raids at Jalan Kilang Timor, Toh Guan Road, and Anchorvale Drive, resulted in the seizure of over 17,000 e-vaporisers and components with a street value of S$200,000. Two men, aged 30 and 44, are currently assisting authorities with ongoing investigations.
Clamping Down on Online Sales and Advertising
In addition to physical raids, Singaporean authorities have been vigilant in policing the digital realm, where illegal e-vaporiser sales and advertisements have proliferated. During the same period of intensified enforcement, the HSA worked closely with administrators of local e-commerce and social media platforms to remove more than 2,000 listings of e-vaporisers and related components such as pods and refills. These efforts followed Letters of Notice sent to these platforms in March 2024, reminding them of their legal obligations to prevent the advertisement and sale of e-vaporisers.
Six individuals, aged between 24 and 36, were convicted in court for selling e-vaporisers and related components between April 1 and June 30, 2024. Collectively, they were fined more than S$51,000, further underscoring the authorities’ commitment to eradicating the illegal trade of e-vaporisers.
Strengthening Border Controls: Joint Operations at Checkpoints
Singapore’s efforts to curb the inflow of e-vaporisers have also extended to its borders. From April to June 2024, the HSA and ICA conducted joint operations at key checkpoints, including Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints, Changi Airport, the Singapore Cruise Centre, Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. These operations involved screening more than 5,000 travellers, of which 19 were found in possession of e-vaporisers.
The authorities reiterated the illegality of bringing prohibited tobacco products, including e-vaporisers, into Singapore. Travellers found with such items are subject to fines and other enforcement actions. Moreover, transport companies and drivers involved in bringing these prohibited products into the country will also face legal consequences. Convicted foreigners, in particular, will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore.
The Road Ahead: Continuing the Fight Against Vaping
The recent spate of enforcement actions underscores Singapore’s unwavering stance against vaping. As the government continues to intensify its efforts on multiple fronts—targeting users, suppliers, and online platforms—the message is clear: there is no place for electronic vaporisers in Singapore. The collaboration between various government agencies, schools, and community groups will be key to ensuring that vaping does not become a widespread public health issue in the country.
While these efforts have already yielded significant results, the authorities are not resting on their laurels. The MOH and HSA have pledged to maintain, if not increase, the level of enforcement in the coming months. This includes ongoing raids, tighter border controls, and further cooperation with digital platforms to eradicate the sale and advertisement of e-vaporisers. As Singapore continues its fight against the proliferation of these devices, it remains to be seen how these measures will shape the future landscape of public health and safety in the city-state.
