Man, 29, arrested as HSA seizes over S$1.1 million worth of vaporisers

A 29-year-old man was recently arrested in an operation where the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized almost 67,000 vaporisers and related components worth an estimated street value of over S$1.1 million.

HSA mounted an operation on Feb. 24, 2026, against an illegal shipment of vaporisers, according to a Mar. 13 HSA press release.

It is the largest seizure since Sep. 1, 2025.

Commercial warehouse

After the 29-year-old man was caught based on intelligence received, follow-up investigations revealed that the subject was in charge of a commercial warehouse located in Mandai, which was found to be storing large amounts of vaporisers for local distribution.

He was arrested for his suspected involvement in the importation of the vaporisers and related components, and investigations are ongoing.

Penalties

The release noted that under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, it is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale vaporisers and their components.

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

May 1, 2026

According to the release, from May 1, 2026, new and enhanced penalties under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA) will be in force, targeting importers and suppliers of the prohibited products, as well as occupiers and owners of premises who do not comply with the measures, among other enforcement actions.

Importers of vaporisers will face mandatory imprisonment of up to nine years, and a fine of up to S$300,000, and suppliers will face mandatory imprisonment for up to six years, and a fine of up to S$200,000.

Owners or occupiers of any land, building or place in Singapore, who permit or allow any other person to store or keep such products or their components without exercising due care, face a fine of up to S$100,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both for the first offence.

They face a fine of up to S$200,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six years, or both for the second offence.

Members of the public who have information on the illegal advertising, import, distribution, sale or possession of vaporisers may submit information online.

Top photos via HSA