Authorities are amping up their efforts, combined with tougher penalties, to crackdown on vaping. Photo credit: Muhamad Lutfi, Pexels.
Singaporean authorities increased their efforts to crackdown on vaping resulting in over 2,200 individuals being apprehended in the first quarter for possessing or using vapes, as announced by the Health Ministry and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a joint statement.
In 2023, 7,838 people were caught for the possession or use of vapes, a 60% increase from the 4,916 in 2022.
From January to March 2024, about 1,950 individuals were caught for possession or use of vapes in public areas, such as the central business district, entertainment outlets, and around shopping centers. Schools and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) also referred around 250 student vaping cases to HSA.
During the same period, more than S$7 million (US$5.15 million) worth of vaping products and components were seized from distribution networks. There were also 40 vape-related cases detected at Singapore’s borders during joint operations. Of these, 10 persons were caught for smuggling vapes into Singapore, while 30 persons were found to be in possession of vapes.
Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, since March 2024, all violators of Singapore’s vape ban, including first-time offenders in schools and IHL who are apprehended for buying, using, or possessing vapes will be directed to HSA and may face fines of up to S$2,000 (US$1,470). Importation, distribution, sale, or provision of vapes and their components is also forbidden, with penalties increasing for subsequent violations. Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to S$10,000 (US$7,353), or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to S$20,000 (US$14,706), or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence. All prohibited tobacco items will also be seized and confiscated.