OVER 2,500 CAUGHT VAPING IN FIRST 3 MONTHS OF 2026

More than 250 placed on rehabilitation programme, 24 sellers and smugglers prosecuted under enhanced framework against vaping 

From 1 January to 31 March 2026, authorities have caught and penalised 2,589 persons for possession and use of vaporisers. Of these, 2,212 (85%) were regular vaporiser offenders and the remaining 377 persons were etomidate vaporiser offenders. More than 36,000 vaporisers and related components were seized from the checkpoints, and 24 smuggling cases were uncovered. 13 vaporiser sellers and 11 smugglers were prosecuted.

Rehabilitation Updates   

2.       Since the step up of enforcement actions on 1 September 2025, an additional 256 offenders have been placed on rehabilitation programmes between 1 January to 31 March 2026, bringing the total offenders onboarded onto rehabilitation to 520. Of which, 123 offenders have successfully completed their rehabilitation. Enforcement actions will be taken against those who default rehabilitation. 28 defaulters are undergoing court proceedings, with ongoing investigations for another 42.

3.       Under the enhanced framework, mandatory rehabilitation was introduced for first-time etomidate vaporiser offenders and second-time offenders of 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.

4.       Cases of persons who have successfully quit vaping after completing the rehabilitation programme include:

a)    A 12-year-old girl was caught vaping for the second time in October 2025 and completed the rehabilitation programme in January 2026. Her parents reported significant behavioural improvements, better school attendance and improved academic performance.

b)    A 17-year-old male was caught vaping etomidate in September 2025 and completed the rehabilitation programme in December 2025. His parents confirmed that he has stopped vaping, cut off contact with peers who vaped and attended school regularly. They also credited the counsellor for following up regularly with their son during the programme.

c)     A 24-year-old man was caught vaping for the second time in October 2025 and completed the rehabilitation programme in January 2026. He provided feedback that he found the programme beneficial in helping him to quit vaping and has also stopped smoking.

5.       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.

Enforcement Targeting Online Content and Vaping in Public

6.       From 1 January to 31 March 2026, Health Sciences Authority (HSA) identified and fined 10 persons who posted vaping-related photos and videos of themselves on social media.

7.       HSA also worked with e-commerce and social media platforms to remove more than 600 online listings of e-vaporisers and related components.

Enforcement for Alleged Trafficking or Supply of Vaporisers

8.        In the first quarter of 2026, HSA charged four persons in court under the Misuse of Drugs Act for the alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporisers. These cases are pending sentencing. Another 13 persons were prosecuted for selling vaporisers with sentences ranging from fines and imprisonment. Some cases include:

a)    21-year-old Chong Jun Keong, who worked as a packer at two warehouses which stored more than 40,000 vaporisers and components. He was sentenced to 41 weeks’ jail on 6 January 2026.

b)      32-year-old Chua Wang Ju managed the sales of vaporisers at a warehouse unit. He was sentenced to 40 weeks’ jail on 10 March 2026.

c)       A 29-year-old man was arrested in an operation on 24 February 2026, where more than $1.1 million worth of vaporisers and related components were seized. He is assisting in investigations.

Enforcement at Checkpoints

9.       From 1 January to 31 March 2026, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)’s intensified targeted efforts at the air, land, and sea checkpoints, alongside joint operations with HSA, led to the detection of 24 smuggling cases and the seizure of more than 36,000 vaporisers and related components. 11 persons were prosecuted in court and 13 are under investigation. Some cases include:

a)    36-year-old Al Kaysar Aldam, a Malaysian driver who tried to smuggle more than 5,000 vaporisers and related components, was sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail on 24 February 2026.

b)  45-year-old Neo Yeow Siang, who tried to smuggle more than 3,000 vaporiser pods with etomidate into Singapore, was sentenced to 20 months’ jail and fined $4,000 on 25 February 2026.

10.      The authorities maintain a strict stance against travellers attempting to bring prohibited tobacco products into Singapore, with penalties including fines for offenders 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.

Continued Public Awareness and Enforcement Efforts

11.      Government agencies continue to be vigilant to vaping across settings, with public awareness and enforcement efforts in place. Since 1 September 2025, Ministry of Education (MOE) schools and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have stepped up educative efforts on the illegality and harmful effects of vaping, common vaping myths, nature of addictive behaviours, and shared strategies to resist peer pressure and coping mechanisms to stay nicotine-free. This is done through curriculum subjects (such as Science and Physical Education) in schools and outreach talks in IHLs, and reinforced via peer-led initiatives and Health Promotion Board (HPB) publicity materials.

12.     MOE schools and the IHLs have also implemented stricter disciplinary measures against vaping. For schools, this includes detention, caning (for boys), and conduct grade adjustments. For IHLs, this includes eviction from hostels, withdrawal of privileges (e.g. leadership opportunities and overseas exchanges), as well as community service orders or fines. Recalcitrant offenders may be suspended or expelled. Beyond disciplinary measures, schools and IHLs focus on guiding students to understand why their behaviour is wrong and help them take ownership of the problem. Rehabilitation is not a linear process and MOE seeks to support students in their journey to quit vaping.

13.    In the first three months of the year, 206 students were referred to HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping. HPB provides cessation support for students who are caught vaping through tele-counselling and onsite counselling by Student Health Advisers at selected schools. From 1 January to 31 March 2026, more than 270 youths received smoking and vaping cessation counselling. To enhance cessation support, HPB, with MOE, has embarked on a virtual cessation counselling pilot for all secondary schools from March 2026.

14.    Parents can refer to information on Parent Hub to educate and support their children on the harms of vaping, or call HPB’s QuitLine at 1800 438 2000 to find out more about HPB’s smoking and vaping cessation programmes. Admissions of consumption of such products shared during HPB’s cessation programmes will be kept confidential and will not be reported to other authorities.

15.     HPB continues to educate the public on the harms of vaping and available support services. From December 2025 to March 2026, HPB rolled out a five-part video series featuring experts who address common vaping misconceptions, provide guidance on managing withdrawal symptoms, highlight the hidden health risks of vaping products, offer strategies for young people to resist peer pressure, and explain nicotine addiction. These educational resources support efforts to prevent vaping initiation and reduce vape use, complementing ongoing enforcement efforts.

16.      The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Home Team (HT) have been conducting checks at access control points and within their premises to detect prohibited items, including vaporisers. The SAF and HT have also maintained a comprehensive urine screening framework to monitor for substance abuse amongst its personnel.

17.     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.

18.     The National Parks Board (NParks) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) conduct enforcement patrols at public parks and public places respectively. Home Team Departments such as The Singapore Police Force (SPF), ICA and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) will also continue to refer to HSA any vaping offences found in the course of their operations and responses to law and order incidents.

Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA)

19.      To strengthen enforcement against vaping and the abuse of psychoactive substances such as etomidate through vaporisers, Parliament passed the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill on 6 March 2026.

20.      The amendments paved the way for the renaming of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 to the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA) came into effect on 1 May 2026. The enhanced legislation consolidates the necessary powers and levers to allow MOH and HSA to continue implementing the current enforcement framework and new powers, and act against evolving trends, including specified psychoactive substances that might be abused through smoking or vaporisers.

21.      The TVCA came into effect on 1 May 2026, to deal with etomidate. The list of etomidate and its analogues have been delisted from the MDA on 1 May 2026.

22.        The Government continues to provide support to those who need help and support to quit vaping. Members of the public can access the QuitVape Programme (www.gov.sg/stopvaping) or contact HPB’s QuitLine at 1800 438 2000. Individuals who voluntarily seek help will not face penalties nor have an offence record for coming forward. However, if the individual is separately caught for vaping, the 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.

23.        Members of the public can continue to voluntarily dispose of vaporisers safely at designated disposal bins placed at selected locations, including border checkpoints and where QuitVape programmes and rehabilitation are provided.

24.       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.

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

4 MAY 2026