MORE THAN 3,500 PERSONS CAUGHT FOR POSSESSION AND USE OF E-VAPORISERS SINCE 1 SEPTEMBER 2025; 8 PERSONS HAVE COMPLETED REHABILITATION

In the four months since the enhanced framework came into force on 1 September 2025, authorities have caught and fined 3,534 persons for possession and use of e-vaporisers, as of 31 December 2025. Of these, 3,168 were e-vaporiser offenders and the remaining 366 persons were etomidate e-vaporiser offenders.

Updates on rehabilitation

2.           268 offenders have been placed on rehabilitation programmes; 211 are etomidate e-vaporiser offenders and 57 are repeat offenders caught with e-vaporisers. Under the enhanced framework, mandatory rehabilitation was introduced for first-time etomidate e-vaporiser offenders and repeat offenders of e-vaporisers, to give them a chance to quit their habit with professional support. Offenders who fail to attend or complete their rehabilitation will be charged in court. Etomidate offenders face a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to two years or both, and e-vaporiser offenders face a fine of up to $2,000.

3.           As of 31 December 2025, eight have completed rehabilitation. Seven were etomidate offenders and one was a repeat e-vaporiser offender. There were 15 persons who failed to attend their first rehabilitation appointments. Of these defaulters, four have been charged in court, while the rest are pending further investigation or prosecution. Of the four charged, a 23-year-old female, Tang Yu Ling, was convicted on 6 January 2026 for etomidate-related offences and sentenced to one week imprisonment. The other cases are pending.

10 persons have been charged in court for alleged trafficking or supply of etomidate e-vaporiser pods

4.           Between 1 September and 31 December 2025, HSA charged 10 persons in court under the Misuse of Drugs Act for the alleged trafficking of etomidate e-vaporiser pods.

5.           Recently, a 26-year-old male, Abdul Ammar Bin Mahmood Jumat, was charged in court on 9 January 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate e-vaporiser pods. The case has been adjourned to 4 February 2026.

More than 41,000 e-vaporisers and related components seized from the checkpoints

6.           51 persons were caught smuggling regular e-vaporisers at land, sea and air checkpoints in the past four months. Six persons were charged in court, 30 were fined, five persons received stern warnings and two persons received advisories. The remaining eight persons are under investigation. Overall, more than 41,000 e-vaporisers and related components were seized.

Cases detected through hotline and online reporting

7.           Over the past four months, there were more than 4,300 cases of e-vaporiser activities reported through HSA’s hotlines and online reporting form.

8.           Acting on public feedback on suspected vaping activities, HSA raided a unit at Jalan Damai and seized 21 e-vaporisers and related components from a 24-year-old male on 1 December 2025. A second raid was conducted on the following day, after HSA received further feedback that the individual was vaping again. Another three e-vaporisers and related components were then seized. The e-vaporisers seized from the individual tested positive for etomidate. The man is currently assisting HSA in investigations.

9.           The public also reported online listings, social media posts, and messaging platforms with illegal advertisements and posts. Over the past four months, HSA removed more than 1,070 online e-vaporiser-related listings, offending websites and Telegram groups, and have taken actions against 18 individuals who posted content of themselves vaping or possessing e-vaporisers on social media.

10.        HSA would like to thank the public for their vigilance and encourage the public to continue their valuable contribution to law enforcement by providing comprehensive details when reporting suspected offences.

Rehabilitation process and support to quit

11.        The Government continues to provide support to those who need help and support to quit vaping. In the last four months, 95 persons voluntarily enrolled in the QuitVape programme at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the four participating Social Service Agencies (SSAs) to quit etomidate vaping. More than 420 persons have signed up for the Health Promotion Board (HPB’s) I Quit programme. Members of the public who want to quit vaping can tap on the QuitVape programme (gov.sg/quitvape) or contact HPB's QuitLine at 1800 438 2000.

12.        Those who voluntarily seek help will not face any penalties nor have an offence record for coming forward. However, if the individual is separately caught vaping, relevant penalties will be meted out and there will be an offence record. Support under the QuitVape programme and HPB’s I Quit programme is free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

13.        Members of the public can also voluntarily dispose of e-vaporisers safely at designated e-vaporiser disposal bins placed at selected locations including border checkpoints and where QuitVape programmes and rehabilitation are provided (e.g. HPB, IMH and participating SSAs).

Enhanced penalties since 1 September 2025

14.        Under the enhanced framework that came into force on 1 September 2025, individuals found possessing, using, or purchasing e-vaporisers face higher penalties and recalcitrant users are required to undergo rehabilitation. First-time offenders will be issued a Notice of Composition of $500 (for offenders under 18 years old) and $700 (for adults). Second-time offenders will be required to attend rehabilitation for three months. Those who do not complete the rehabilitation programme will be prosecuted. Offenders caught using e-vaporisers for the third time and more will be prosecuted in court under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and be liable for a fine of up to $2,000.

15.        Etomidate e-vaporiser offenders face higher penalties and are required to attend rehabilitation for up to six months. First-time offenders will face a fine of up to $2,000. In addition, they will be required to attend rehabilitation for up to six months. Second-time offenders will be arrested and subjected to investigation and urine-testing, as well as mandatory supervision for six months which includes drug testing, and rehabilitation. Third-time offenders who are 16 years and older will undergo a 12-months regime, including detention at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre, followed by drug testing and supervision. Those who are under 16 years old will be subjected to mandatory supervision in the community for 12 months.

16.        Importers, sellers and distributors of etomidate e-vaporisers will also face much stiffer penalties. This includes three to 20 years’ imprisonment and five to 15 strokes of the cane for importers, and two to 10 years’ imprisonment and two to five strokes of the cane for sellers and distributors.

17.       Members of the public who have information on the illegal advertisement, import, distribution, sale or possession of e-vaporisers can contact HSA to support our enforcement efforts through two convenient channels:

-        Submit information through our online reporting form: www.go.gov.sg/reportvape or scan the QR code:

-        Call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037, operational daily, including weekends and public holidays, from 9am to 9pm.

18.        Vaping is illegal in Singapore. The Government remains committed to enforcing the ban on e-vaporisers while providing support for those seeking to quit vaping. For more information, visit www.gov.sg/stopvaping.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY

29 JANUARY 2026