27 people caught for vaping offences in S'pore jailed 1-7 days after failing to pay fines

Following a step up in enforcement, more than 3,700 persons were caught and fined for the possession and use of vapes between Apr. 1 to Jun. 30, 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a press release on Aug. 26.

This is an increase of almost 20 per cent compared to the previous quarter, where more than 3,100 persons were caught.

Prosecution of sellers

HSA prosecuted a total of 12 persons, including eight males and four females, aged 17 to 46 for selling vapes.

In a recent case on Jul. 11, HSA acted on public feedback and caught a 21-year-old man, who was allegedly distributing vapes and vape components in Bishan and Ubi.

HSA officers also conducted raids at these locations and seized almost 3,000kg of vapes.

The 21-year-old was charged in court on Jul. 14.

Failure to pay composition fines

A total of 31 offenders aged 19 to 64 years old were prosecuted for failing to pay their composition fines.

This was an increase from the 21 offenders in the previous quarter.

Offenders who failed to make timely payment of fines for vaping offences faced harsher consequences of either a higher fine or jail sentences, HSA said.

Border enforcement

Between April and June 2025, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) intensified targeting and profiling efforts at Singapore's checkpoints alongside joint operations with HSA.

This led to the detection of 19 large-scale smuggling cases and seizure of around 90,000 vapes and related products.

Offenders involved in the importation of prohibited tobacco products into Singapore face fines and transport companies and drivers face possible prosecution, HSA said.

Foreigners convicted of offences in Singapore will be deported after serving their sentences and barred from re-entering Singapore.

Online content and vaping in public

HSA identified and issued fines to eight persons who posted photos or videos of themselves with vapes in their social media posts.

These offenders have since removed their content.

In one case on Jun. 4, HSA raided the homes of two 18-year-old boys, acting on a tip-off of a video posted on social media where they were seen vaping in a bicycle shop in Kallang.

HSA visited the bicycle shop on the same day and caught another two men, aged 17 and 29.

All four were fined on the spot.

Additionally, HSA worked with e-commerce and social media platforms to remove more than 2,000 online listings of vapes and related components.

This is a fivefold increase from the 408 listings removed in the previous quarter.

Vapes with etomidate

As of Aug. 12, 29 cases related to etomidate vapes have been detected.

Nine cases are related to import and/ or sale, while the rest are related to illegal use.

Five persons have been charged or are facing charges in court for the import and/or sale of vapes containing etomidate.

One case involved a 41-year-old man, who was charged on Jul. 17 for manufacturing vape pods containing etomidate, or kpods, in his home with the intent to sell.

The other four cases involved men aged 19 to 55 and are under investigation, with some undergoing prosecution.

HSA said it will continue to work closely with agencies, such as the Singapore Police Force, Central Narcotics Bureau, the Ministry of Defence, National Parks Board and National Environment Agency to take enforcement action against those who import, sell, distribute, possess or purchase vapes and kpods.

Penalties

Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, the possession, use or purchase of e-vaporisers carries a maximum fine of S$2,000.

It is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components.

Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to S$10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to S$20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence.

All prohibited tobacco items will be seized and confiscated.

HSA said it would like to remind those caught vaping to promptly pay their fines (Notice of Composition).

Those who fail to do so before the due date of the Notices will face harsher consequences if prosecuted in court.

Currently, persons found possessing kpods are also liable upon conviction to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to two years and/or fine up to S$10,000 under the Poisons Act.

Etomidate will soon be listed as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act from Sep. 1, 2025.

HSA said that this will enable tougher actions against suppliers and users of kpods while MOH considers the necessary legislation amendments to deal with etomidate and other similar substances.

Users can be subject to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme, or admitted to drug rehabilitation centres.

Offenders can also be prosecuted and may face imprisonment or caning.

Top image via HSA.