Vape Laws in Singapore: Enforcement and Penalties

After classifying etomidate e-vaporisers as Class C controlled substances in September 2025, the government ran a wide-ranging enforcement operation around all 12 institutes of higher learning (IHL) in Singapore. During the operation, the authorities checked all locations within and around IHLs, checking all possible areas, including toilets and stairways, and seized 19 vapes and related components, fining the offenders on the spot.

In addition to fines, students will face disciplinary action by their schools, while repeat offenders will have to go through mandatory counselling.

Singapore’s Zero-Tolerance Approach to Vaping

In February 2018, Singapore adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards vaping by prohibiting purchase, possession, and use of imitation tobacco products by introducing changes to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA).

In 2025, the government ramped up its efforts to tackle vaping, particularly etomidate vapes, commonly known as Kpods. During the press conference held in August 2025, the Health Minister of Singapore noted that smokers picked up vaping, thinking it’s not as harmful as cigarettes and then wandered into substance abuse. Following these statements, the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs  Act 1973 (MDA) classified etomidate and its analogues as Class C controlled drugs for six months, pending the introduction of new regulations.

The government adopted a broad posture to enforce the ban, authorising officers across multiple agencies to take enforcement action. The nationwide effort is participated in by almost 700 officers from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) as well as representatives of the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), National Environment Agency, National Park Board and the Gambling Regulatory Authority.

Vapes vs Cigarettes in Singapore

The government acknowledges the harm from both cigarettes and vapes. At the same time, cigarettes became legal and deeply entrenched in Singapore long before their harm became known. That said, the government adopted a strict regulatory framework for cigarettes, including high taxes, advertising restrictions, and a ban on smoking in public places, enforced under Singapore’s public health law.

On the other hand, vapes are new products, and the e-cigarette laws in Singapore aim to prevent them from becoming as entrenched as cigarettes to avoid health consequences and substance abuse. Notably, according to a recent study by the HSA, e-vaporisers are not safer than cigarettes, with one disposable vape equivalent to about three to four cigarette packs.

Vape Fines in Singapore

Following the government’s stance on vaping, offenders face a range of escalating penalties:

• First-time offenders pay $500 if they are under 18 years old and $700 if they are above 18 years old.
• Second-time offenders go through a mandatory three-month rehabilitation program. Those who don’t complete the rehabilitation will face a court action.
• Third-time and subsequent vaping offences in Singapore carry the maximum penalty under the TCASA Act of $2,000.

At the same time, those found to supply etomidate vapes face much harsher charges, including:

• 3 to 20 years’ imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane for importing,
• 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane for selling and distributing.

How to Report Illegal Vaping in Singapore

The government encourages reporting incidents to stop illegal vaping. If you become a witness to a vape offence, you can report it online or by calling the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684 2036 / 6684 2037 from 9 am to 9 pm daily, including weekends and holidays. If you need help to quit vaping, you can apply to the Health Promotion Board’s Quitline at 1800 438 200.