The Singaporean government is set to take significantly tougher action against vaping, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announcing that the issue will now be treated as a "drug abuse problem," potentially involving harsher penalties like imprisonment. This move marks a major escalation from the current approach, where vaping offenses are typically handled with fines similar to smoking violations.
In his National Day Rally 2025 speech, PM Wong highlighted a growing danger beyond nicotine: the discovery of harmful substances like etomidate, an anesthetic drug, in illicit vapes circulating in the country. "Now, vaping only contains etomidate. In the future, vaping could become something worse, more potent, or more dangerous," he warned. He stated that the current rules are no longer sufficient, as many people continue to vape secretly.
The new "whole-of-government" crackdown will be led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). This means offenders could face not only fines but also potential jail time, with even more severe penalties for those who sell vapes containing dangerous substances. Individuals addicted to vaping will be offered supervision and rehabilitation to help them quit.
This legislative push will be supported by intensified enforcement across the country and a "massive public education campaign" starting in schools, colleges, and during National Service. This follows Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's statement in July 2025 that etomidate would be listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, treating offenders similarly to those consuming cannabis or cocaine.
To encourage users to surrender their devices, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has launched a "Bin the Vape" initiative, providing special red disposal bins at 23 community centers across Singapore, assuring users they will not be tracked or penalized for disposing of their vapes.
