Singapore Sees Surge in Vaping Reports; HSA Introduces Online Reporting

More than 2,500 vaping-related reports were recorded in Singapore during the first half of 2025, according to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). This figure indicates a notable increase compared to over 3,000 reports for the entire year of 2024. The HSA characterized this rise as a “significant increase” in public feedback regarding vaping offences.

In a recent incident, authorities apprehended a 21-year-old man on July 11, 2025, for allegedly distributing vapes and components in the neighborhoods of Bishan and Ubi. Following a series of raids, officers seized nearly three tonnes of vaping products. The individual was charged in court on July 14, 2025, with the case adjourned to August 11, 2025.

In another case in May, HSA officers conducted a raid on two 16-year-old boys who were reportedly vaping in a private-hire vehicle. After the driver reported the incident to the traffic police, two vapes were confiscated from one boy, alongside an additional 54 pods and three vapes located at his residence. Laboratory tests conducted by HSA revealed that some of the pods contained etomidate, a fast-acting anaesthetic linked to serious health risks such as nausea, muscle spasms, and potential seizures.

Amid these investigations, a troubling video surfaced online, depicting a 58-year-old man unable to walk and shaking uncontrollably while holding a vape. Despite a subsequent raid of his residence yielding no vaping products, he admitted to the act and was subsequently issued a fine.

Public awareness of vaping offences has been amplified by social media, with a notable incident involving a 24-year-old man filmed vaping in a lift at Sim Lim Square. Following the video’s circulation, HSA identified the individual and seized two vapes from his home. He is currently assisting in ongoing investigations.

The HSA has pointed out a “considerable increase” in social media posts showing individuals vaping in public areas. This trend has enabled the HSA to leverage public feedback and social media as additional sources of surveillance, enhancing enforcement efforts against illegal vaping activities.

New Online Reporting System Launches

In response to the rising number of vaping reports, the HSA is set to launch a new online reporting form on July 21, 2025. This initiative allows the public to report illegal vaping activities more efficiently. Individuals can also reach the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684 2036 or 6684 2037, with operational hours extended to seven days a week, including public holidays, from 09:00 to 21:00.

The HSA encourages those with information regarding suspected users, sellers, or distributors to provide details, including photographs or videos, if available. Reports should also include the location, date, and time of the incident, along with any other pertinent information.

The authority has affirmed its commitment to investigating all vaping-related reports thoroughly. Any seized e-vaporisers suspected of containing illegal substances, such as etomidate, will undergo testing. Offenders found in possession of e-vaporisers containing etomidate may face stricter penalties under the Poisons Act. Those found with controlled substances could be referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau.

In Singapore, the purchase, possession, and use of vapes are strictly prohibited, encompassing online and overseas purchases. Offenders can incur fines of up to S$2,000. Convictions for importing, distributing, or selling vapes or their components may lead to fines of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. For repeat offences, the maximum penalties are doubled, and those found with pods containing etomidate face potential imprisonment for up to two years and fines up to S$10,000 or both.