Singapore has significantly tightened its stance against illegal vaping, introducing harsher penalties and enhanced enforcement measures effective September 1, 2025. This escalation is a direct response to a surge in youth offenders and the alarming discovery of illicit drugs like etomidate in vape liquids. The new regime includes increased fines, mandatory rehabilitation, and potential imprisonment for distributors.
Key Takeaways:
- Rising Offenses: Vape-related apprehensions jumped from 7,800 in 2023 to 17,900 in early 2025.
- Youth Focus: Half of users are under 25; fines for minors have increased to SGD 500.
- Drug Risks: Vape liquids have been found laced with etomidate and cannabis.
- Stricter Penalties: Fines up to SGD 2,000 for users; importers face up to 20 years in prison.
Singapore’s anti-vaping policy refers to a comprehensive ban on the importation, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes, a stance maintained since 2018. Despite these long-standing prohibitions, a worrying rise in the number of young offenders caught in the act and the detection of dangerous drugs in vaping liquids have compelled the Singaporean government to reinforce its arsenal against the practice.
A History of Prohibition and Recent Trends
Singapore first banned the importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes in 2010. In 2018, this was expanded to criminalize purchase, possession, and use. However, after a brief lull, vaping has surged. From January 2024 to March 2025 alone, **17,900 people were apprehended** for vape-related offenses, a stark increase from 7,800 in 2023 and just 1,000 in 2020.
The demographic shift is particularly concerning. Between 2022 and 2024, an average of 3,100 primary and secondary school students were caught with e-cigarettes annually. Statistics show that **half of all e-cigarette users are under 25**, a vulnerable population specifically targeted by sellers.
The Hidden Dangers: Drugs in Vape Liquids
Authorities emphasize that e-cigarettes are not harmless. Beyond the addictive nature of nicotine, analysis of seized liquids has revealed the presence of even more dangerous substances, sometimes unknown to the consumer. The most prevalent is **etomidate**, an intravenous hypnotic used for anesthesia. Its misuse can cause respiratory issues, psychosis, and abnormal movements—symptoms that have helped identify student users. Other drugs, including cannabis, have also been detected.
New Measures: Fines, Rehabilitation, and Prison
Effective **September 1, 2025**, penalties have been significantly toughened to curb this trend:
- First Offense (Users): Fines are now **SGD 500** for those under 18 and **SGD 700** for adults.
- Repeat Offenses (Users): A second offense leads to three months in a rehabilitation center, while a third offense results in court prosecution.
- Etomidate Users: Immediate placement in a rehabilitation center for six months upon the first offense, with longer stays and regular drug testing for recidivists.
- Supply Chain: Importers, distributors, and sellers face up to **20 years in prison**.
For **foreigners**, a first offense typically results in a fine and confiscation. However, repeat offenses can lead to visa revocation and permanent expulsion from Singapore.
Enhanced Enforcement and Awareness
To support these new laws, border police have been reinforced with 700 additional officers. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has mobilized 10,000 agents for random checks in streets and public transport, identifying 60 offenders in just over a month in late 2025. Schools are now equipped with salivary tests to detect nicotine, and information campaigns have been launched alongside cessation programs.
Travelers are strongly advised not to bring e-cigarettes into Singapore. Declaring them upon arrival will result in confiscation but avoid legal trouble. Singapore remains one of several Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei, with strict anti-vaping laws.
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