Press Releases
AVENUES TO SURRENDER E-VAPORISERS AND SEEK SUPPORT TO QUIT VAPING
25 July 2025
The Minister for Health has earlier announced that in the coming weeks, etomidate will be classified as a Class C illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). In the meantime, those who are using e-vaporisers and especially consuming etomidate should give up their habit as soon as possible.
2 To support them during this period, Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has embarked on an initiative to encourage e-vaporiser users to surrender their e-vaporisers and related components in order to start their quit journey before the law catches up with them.
3 Called “Bin the Vape”, the HSA has partnered with the People’s Association to place e-vaporiser disposal bins across the island at 23 Community Clubs and one Residents’ Network Centre for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of e-vaporisers safely from 25 July 2025. Bins will also be progressively placed at other locations such as the Institutes of Higher Learning. See Annex A for the list of locations.
4 Members of the public who wish to seek support for quitting, particularly if they have been using etomidate e-vaporisers, may approach WE CARE Community Services, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, the Institute of Mental Health for assistance or the Quitline counsellors at 1800 438 2000. See Annex B for the list of contacts.
5 Persons who come forward to bin their e-vaporisers or voluntarily seek support for quitting will not face any penalties for doing so.
6 Once etomidate is listed as a Class C drug under the MDA in a few weeks’ time, those caught using etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation. Repeat offenders are liable to be prosecuted and subject to jail for at least a year. Those caught selling, distributing or importing etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to more severe penalties, including jail up to 20 years and caning.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION
25 JULY 2025
Annex A
Table caption
Area | Location |
Central | · Bishan CC · Buona Vista CC · Ci Yuan CC · Fernvale CC · Jalan Besar CC |
North East | · One Punggol CC · Pasir Ris Elias CC · Sengkang CC · Tampines Central CC · The Serangoon CC |
North West | · Ace The Place CC · Canberra CC · Senja-Cashew CC · Naval Base Anchor RN · Nee Soon South CC · Sembawang CC · Woodlands CC · Woodlands Galaxy CC · Yew Tee CC |
South East | · Kampong Chai Chee CC / Heartbeat@Bedok · Mountbatten CC |
South West | · Boon Lay CC · Hong Kah North CC · Keat Hong CC |
Annex B
Contact Points to Seek Support for Quitting
Table caption
Social Service Agency | Type of services provided | Contact details |
WE CARE Community Services | · Counselling services · Drop in centre · Recovery support groups · Group work and therapy programmes · Talks and workshops | Tel: 3165 8017 or 8391 3023 (WhatsApp) Email: help@wecare.org.sg Website: https://www.wecare.org.sg/ |
Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association | · Step-Up Centres SANA Step-Up Centres are walk-in facilities that support the rehabilitation and reintegration of persons-in-recovery from drug addiction by strengthening their social support networks. The centres are open to recovering individuals, their families and anyone seeking help on drug addiction. · Case Management Services Interim financial assistance, casework and counselling · Psychotherapy SANA’s psychotherapy service uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address co-occurring mental health conditions, behavioural challenges and relationship issues that may contribute to or increase the risk of drug relapse. | Tel: 6732 1122 Email: sana@sana.org.sg Website: https://www.sana.org.sg/ |
Institute of Mental Health | National Addiction Management Services (NAMS) · Assessment and treatment of addictions · Individual, group and family therapy | For NAMS appointment enquiries: 6389 2200 / https://for.sg/nams-appointment-form Website: https://www.nams.sg |