OVER 2,400 CAUGHT VAPING, NINE PERSONS CHARGED FOR ALLEGED IMPORT OR SUPPLY OF ETOMIDATE FROM APRIL TO JUNE 2026

         From 1 April to 30 June 2026, authorities caught and penalised 2,428 persons for possession and use of vaporisers. Of these, 1,971 (81%) were regular vaporiser offenders and the remaining 457 were etomidate vaporiser offenders.

2.         In the second quarter of 2026, an average of 809 cases were caught per month. This was about 30% lower than the 1,219 cases caught per month between June and August 2025, before stricter measures took effect on 1 September 2025. More than 3,900 vaporisers and related components were seized from the checkpoints. Nine persons were charged for the alleged import or supply of etomidate vaporiser pods and 14 persons were convicted of selling etomidate vaporiser pods.

Etomidate Vaporisers: Actions Taken Against Importers and Suppliers

3.         From 1 April to 30 June 2026, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) charged nine persons in court for the import or supply of etomidate vaporisers. Six of them are allegedly part of a transnational syndicate, and more than $880,000 worth of etomidate vaporiser pods have been seized from them. These cases are pending sentencing.

4.         In the same period, another 14 persons were convicted of selling or importing etomidate vaporiser pods. Some of these cases include:

a)         37-year-old Byron Chua Longming delivered vaporisers from Malaysia to customers in Singapore. He was found in the vicinity of Bugis with vaporisers and related components, of which 194 pods contained etomidate. He was sentenced to eight months’ jail on 6 May 2026.

b)         28-year-old Jodan Chin Wei Liang was found with 802 vaporiser pods containing etomidate that were meant for sale. He had attempted to drive off once an HSA officer had identified himself. The act could have injured the officers conducting the operation. He was sentenced to 16 months and five weeks’ jail on 30 June 2026.

Regular Vaporisers: Enforcement at Checkpoints

5.         From 1 April to 30 June 2026, intensified efforts at the air, land, and sea checkpoints by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, alongside joint operations with HSA, led to the detection of 19 persons caught importing regular vaporisers and the seizure of more than 3,900 vaporisers and related components. One person was prosecuted and eight are under investigation. The rest were fined or received stern warnings. Among those convicted in the same period include:

a)         A Malaysian lorry driver, 28-year-old Jegathiswaran Nagalingam, who tried to import vaporisers and heated tobacco items worth more than $277,000 into Singapore, was sentenced to 22 weeks’ jail on 16 April 2026.

b)         A 31-year-old Malaysian private-hire driver, Suntharathasan Kanathasan, was caught trying to import 1,100 vaporisers into Singapore and was sentenced to 14 weeks’ jail on 22 April 2026.

c)         A 22-year-old Malaysian, Muhammad Haiqal Zaini, tried to import 3,480 vaporisers and related components into Singapore. He was sentenced to 18 weeks’ jail on 5 June 2026.

6.         The authorities maintain a strict stance against travellers attempting to bring prohibited tobacco products into Singapore, with penalties including fines for possession cases and possible prosecution for transport companies and drivers involved in importation. Foreigners convicted of offences in Singapore will be deported after serving their sentences and barred from re-entering Singapore.

Enforcement Targeting Online Content

7.         From 1 April to 30 June 2026, HSA worked with e-commerce and social media platforms to remove more than 600 online listings of vaporisers and related components. No individuals were caught posting vaping-related photos and videos of themselves on social media in this period.

Rehabilitation Updates

8.         From 1 April to 30 June 2026, 264 offenders were placed on rehabilitation programmes. In total, 787 have been placed on rehabilitation programmes since the step up of enforcement action on 1 September 2025. Among those onboarded, 245 offenders have successfully completed their rehabilitation. Recent cases of persons who have successfully quit vaping after completing the rehabilitation programme include:

a)         A 15-year-old boy was caught vaping for the second time in February 2026. He successfully completed the three-month rehabilitation programme conducted by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) in May 2026. His father has observed positive improvements in his son’s behaviour - the boy has stopped vaping, has been returning home on time, and has resumed his hobby of cycling.

b)         A 33-year-old man was caught vaping for the second time in February 2026 and successfully completed the three-month rehabilitation programme conducted by HPB in May 2026. He has stopped vaping and expressed no interest in returning to the habit. Reflecting on the rehabilitation programme, he highlighted the opportunity to speak with a counsellor as the most valuable aspect of his experience and that the access to professional support was particularly meaningful. He also found the practical tips and recommendations offered throughout the programme to be beneficial in sustaining his progress.

c)         A 39-year-old woman was caught vaping etomidate for the first time in September 2025 and successfully completed the four-month rehabilitation programme in April 2026 conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association. She is now vape-free and better able to manage stress. She found the counsellor’s advice helpful and is focusing on rebuilding family relationships. She has also distanced herself from peers who vape.

9.         Enforcement actions will be taken against those who default on rehabilitation. From 1 September 2025 to 30 June 2026, 288 persons have defaulted on the rehabilitation programme. Of the defaulters, 41 have been charged and are serving their sentence. Another 152 are undergoing court proceedings, and investigations are ongoing for the remaining 95.

10.         In addition, 18 were admitted into Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) for repeat etomidate offences from 1 April to 30 June 2026. In total, 26 have been admitted into DRC since the step up of enforcement action on 1 September 2025, and among those admitted, 15 offenders have been released from DRC and are currently monitored on supervision orders.

11.         Government agencies have been working closely together under a coordinated Whole-of-Government approach to tackle the vaping issue, including through enforcement, education and raising public awareness.

Continued Public Awareness and Enforcement Efforts

12.         Ministry of Education (MOE) schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) continue to adopt a comprehensive approach that combines preventative education, firm disciplinary measures, and cessation support. Students are educated on the harms and illegality of vaping through curriculum subjects (such as Science and Physical Education), outreach talks, peer-led initiatives, and HPB publicity materials.

13.         Prior to the roll-out of the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA) on 1 May 2026, schools and IHLs were briefed on the enhanced penalties under the TVCA. Schools and IHLs continue to implement stricter disciplinary measures against vaping. In schools, this includes detention, caning (for boys), and conduct grade adjustments. In IHLs, measures include eviction from hostels, withdrawal of privileges (e.g. leadership opportunities and overseas exchanges), and community service orders or fines. Recalcitrant offenders may face suspension or expulsion. Beyond enforcement, schools and IHLs remain committed to guiding students to understand and take ownership of their behaviour, supporting them in their journey to quit vaping.

14.         From 1 April to 30 June 2026, 245 students were referred to HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping. HPB continues to provide cessation support for students who are caught for regular vaping through tele-counselling and onsite counselling by Student Health Advisers at selected schools. From 1 April to 30 June 2026, more than 480 youths received smoking and vaping cessation counselling. There is also an ongoing virtual cessation counselling pilot between HPB and MOE for secondary school students.

15.         Public Transport Operators and their frontline staff continue to enforce against vaping as part of routine operations, carrying out patrols and checks in trains and public transport nodes. Individuals found vaping or in possession of vaporisers will be referred to the relevant authorities, and enforcement actions will be taken. 49 persons were referred to HSA for vaping-related offences on public transport in the quarter from 1 April to 30 June 2026.

Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA)

16.         The Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA), renamed from the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, came into effect on 1 May 2026. The enhanced legislation implements new powers and empowers the Ministry of Health and HSA to act against evolving trends, including specified psychoactive substances, such as etomidate. Under TVCA, penalties have also significantly increased.

Cessation of QuitVape Programme

17.         QuitVape was introduced in September 2025 for individuals who wished to voluntarily seek help to quit etomidate abuse, in conjunction with whole-of-government efforts to tackle vaping and etomidate abuse. This was intended to be a time-limited measure to give abusers an opportunity to voluntarily give up etomidate vaporisers, supporting them to quit without any penalties or an offence record. We have also stepped-up enforcement and public education on the harms of etomidate abuse to raise awareness of its harms.

18.         Since the launch of QuitVape, awareness of the harms of etomidate abuse has increased and the take-up rate for QuitVape has moderated since the launch of the programme. From 1 September 2025 to 30 June 2026, 188 individuals with ages ranging from 15 to 44 years have voluntarily enrolled in the QuitVape programme. Therefore, moving forward, we will cease QuitVape with effect from 1 September 2026. Individuals already on the programme before 1 September 2026 will be supported to complete their programme.

19.         Individuals who wish to seek help for etomidate abuse from 1 September 2026 may approach IMH, where relevant services will be provided on a chargeable basis (Refer to Annex for the contact details). Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are referred from eligible referral sources are eligible for subsidies.

20.         For vaping that does not involve etomidate, HPB continues to offer the I Quit programme to support individuals to quit. Individuals may call HPB's QuitLine at 1800 438 2000 for more information.

21.         Those who voluntarily seek help will not face any penalties or have an offence record for coming forward. Offenders caught abusing etomidate and regular vaporisers will still be subject to penalties accordingly.

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

a) Submit information through our online reporting form: www.go.gov.sg/reportvape ↗ (opens in new tab).

b) Call HSA at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 from 7am to 12am, operational daily, including weekends and public holidays.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY

11 AUGUST 2026

Annex: