By now, you should know about the new rules for vaping.
If not, you can watch this:
From 1 September to 7 September 2025, authorities apprehended 232 people across Singapore for vape-related offences, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH). Among them, 32 were suspected of abusing etomidate, a substance newly classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).
Devices seized from offenders were sent for testing. Laboratory results confirmed that 14 individuals were in possession of Kpods containing etomidate, while seven results came back negative. Another 11 cases are still pending confirmation.
Three individuals have already been issued rehabilitation orders of up to six months. MOH stated that those caught abusing etomidate are required to attend rehabilitation in lieu of prosecution. The programme involves education, counselling, and addiction support.
First trafficker charged and enhanced enforcement
In addition, the first trafficker has been charged under the new rules.
On 6 September, 40-year-old Derek Khor Boon Chun was arrested at a carpark in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 after police found him behaving suspiciously. A search of his vehicle uncovered about 50 e-vaporisers and pods, which later tested positive for etomidate.
Khor was charged on 8 September under the MDA for trafficking etomidate-laced e-vaporiser pods, making him the first alleged trafficker to be prosecuted since the drug’s reclassification.
To step up enforcement, more than 5,000 front-line officers from agencies including the Central Narcotics Bureau, Land Transport Authority, Singapore Prison Service, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Singapore Civil Defence Force, and public transport operators have been authorised to take action against illegal vaping.
This nearly doubles the enforcement pool, which already included officers from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Ministry of Education, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board, Singapore Customs, and Singapore Police Force.
Penalties, rehabilitation, and public initiatives
Under the new framework announced in August, traffickers, importers, and sellers of etomidate-laced vapes face between two and 20 years’ jail and five to 15 strokes of the cane. Traffickers specifically face two to 10 years’ jail and two to five strokes of the cane.
First-time abusers face fines of $700 if they are 18 and above, or $500 if below 18, in addition to rehabilitation for up to six months. Repeat offenders will undergo mandatory supervision for six months, which includes drug testing and rehabilitation.
Those aged 16 and above caught for a third or subsequent offence face a 12-month regime involving treatment in a drug rehabilitation centre, followed by testing and supervision. Abusers under 16 will undergo mandatory supervision and testing for one year.
From 1 September, medical practitioners in both public and private practice are legally required to report suspected etomidate abusers within seven days. Public healthcare institutions had reported nearly 50 such cases between 9 July and 18 August.
Separately, the Bin The Vape initiative, held between 25 July and 31 August, collected around 6,000 e-vaporisers and components for destruction. Disposal bins remain available at selected locations such as border checkpoints and QuitVape centres.
QuitVape links individuals to agencies including the Institute of Mental Health, We Care Community Services, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities, and Fei Yue Community Services. Those who voluntarily seek help through QuitVape will not be penalised. Between 1 September and 7 September, 17 people contacted agencies for support to quit Kpod use, while 21 others signed up for the Health Promotion Board’s I Quit programme for vaping.
Members of the public can submit information on illegal vaping via go.gov.sg/reportvape or by calling HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline at 66842036 or 66842037.
Here’s the REAL reason why everyone is hanging plushies on their bags, simplified for you:
