An 11-year-old child was among three individuals fined on the spot for vaping during an enforcement operation carried out in Punggol on Apr. 30, in a case that has raised fresh concern over underage exposure to vaping in Singapore.
The joint operation was conducted by the Health Sciences Authority together with the Singapore Police Force as part of ongoing efforts to detect and deter vape-related offences in public areas.
Authorities said the three individuals caught for vaping were aged between 11 and 29, and included two males and one female. All three were issued fines on the spot.
The case is particularly notable due to the extremely young age of one offender, highlighting growing enforcement concerns around vaping access among minors.
Teen Arrested Over Suspected Etomidate Vape Use
In the same operation, a 17-year-old male was arrested for suspected repeat use of etomidate, a powerful anaesthetic agent that has increasingly been linked to illegal vape products commonly referred to as “Kpods”.
Authorities confirmed that the teenager’s urine test returned positive for etomidate, which is a controlled substance when misused.
Investigators also seized four vapouriser devices and related components during the operation. One of the pods recovered is suspected to contain etomidate and has been sent for laboratory testing.
Separately, another five males aged between 17 and 20 were caught for underage smoking offences and referred to the Health Promotion Board for cessation counselling.
Etomidate-laced vaping products have become a growing concern for regulators, as misuse can pose serious health risks including respiratory suppression and loss of consciousness.
Tougher Vape Laws Now In Force In Singapore
Singapore has significantly tightened its stance on vaping-related offences in recent years, with stronger penalties introduced under updated legislation that came into effect on May 1.
Under the revised framework, individuals caught vaping can face fines of up to S$10,000, while those found using etomidate-laced devices may be fined up to S$20,000, jailed for up to 10 years, or both.
The enforcement action reflects the government’s broader crackdown on illicit vaping devices, especially those containing controlled or dangerous substances.
According to authorities, more than 3,500 individuals have been caught over the past four months for vape-related offences, including thousands of standard vaping cases and several hundred involving suspected Kpod abuse.
The Health Promotion Board continues to work alongside enforcement agencies to provide counselling and cessation support for youth offenders.
Officials have reiterated that vaping remains illegal in Singapore, and that enforcement efforts will continue through both patrol operations and public education campaigns, particularly in areas frequented by youths and residential communities such as Punggol.
Image Source: HSA