Singapore Intensifies Penalties on Vaping Amid Drug Concerns

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:48:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In an effort to combat the rising popularity of drug-laced vapes, Singaporean authorities have announced a crackdown that includes harsher penalties like caning and increased fines. The measures come as concerns grow over vapes containing etomidate, an anaesthetic agent.

Singapore is set to implement stricter penalties against vaping, particularly targeting devices laced with etomidate, a drug causing escalating issues among youth. New regulations will come into effect on September 1, introducing fines up to S$500 and prison sentences for suppliers, alongside public awareness campaigns and increased enforcement measures.

Singaporean authorities have announced tougher penalties for vaping as they try to crack down on the increasing use of drug-laced vapes in the country.

These include stiffer fines, longer jail terms and even caning. Foreigners may also be deported.

While Singapore was one of the first places in the world to ban vaping in 2018, the practice has persisted and in recent months the city-state has seen a rise in popularity of vapes laced with etomidate, an anaesthetic drug.

This has caused widespread alarm in the country which has some of the world's toughest drug laws.

Recent tests revealed that a third of seized vapes in July contained etomidate, now dubbed Kpods due to its similarities to ketamine.

Videos circulating on social media show erratic behavior among users, prompting public concern and demands for stricter regulations.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized that vaping needs to be controlled as it serves as a gateway to serious substance abuse.

The updated regulations, effective from September 1, will mandate increased fines starting from S$500 (£288; $390) and rehabilitation for all caught vaping. Suppliers caught supplying drug-laced devices may face up to 20 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane.

Tourists will also be subjected to these rules, with Changi Airport installing signs and vape disposal bins to facilitate compliance.

The measures follow a larger public health campaign to curb the use of vapes, which is being conducted alongside increasing border checks on vapes entering from neighboring countries.

Other countries are also intensifying their own vaping restrictions, with the UK and Australia implementing bans on disposable vapes as part of health initiatives against youth vaping.