More than 2,400 people were caught and penalised for possessing or using vaporisers in Singapore between April and June 2026, with authorities also charging nine people over the alleged import or supply of etomidate-containing vaporiser pods.
According to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), 2,428 people were caught during the three-month period. Of these, 1,971, or about 81%, were regular vaporiser offenders, while the remaining 457 involved etomidate vaporisers.
Authorities said the number of cases fell by around 30% compared with the average of 1,219 cases recorded each month between June and August 2025, before stricter enforcement measures were introduced in September last year.
Nine Charged Over Etomidate Vaporisers
During the same period, HSA charged nine people in court for allegedly importing or supplying etomidate vaporisers. Six of those charged were allegedly linked to a transnational syndicate, with more than S$880,000 worth of etomidate vaporiser pods seized in the cases.
The cases are currently pending sentencing. Separately, 14 people were convicted during the quarter for offences involving the sale or import of etomidate vaporiser pods.
Among them was 37-year-old Byron Chua Longming, who had allegedly delivered vaporisers from Malaysia to customers in Singapore. He was found near Bugis with vaporisers and related components, including 194 pods containing etomidate. He was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment in May.
Another offender, 28-year-old Jodan Chin Wei Liang, was found with 802 etomidate-containing vaporiser pods intended for sale. HSA said he attempted to drive away after an officer identified himself, potentially putting officers involved in the operation at risk. He was sentenced to 16 months and five weeks’ imprisonment in June.
Thousands Of Vaporisers Seized At Checkpoints
Enforcement was also stepped up at Singapore’s land, sea and air checkpoints. Joint operations involving the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and HSA detected 19 people attempting to import regular vaporisers between April and June.
More than 3,900 vaporisers and related components were seized at the checkpoints. One person was prosecuted, while eight others remained under investigation at the time of the announcement.
Several import cases involved Malaysian nationals. A 28-year-old Malaysian lorry driver, Jegathiswaran Nagalingam, was sentenced to 22 weeks’ jail after attempting to bring vaporisers and heated tobacco products worth more than S$277,000 into Singapore.
In another case, 31-year-old Malaysian private-hire driver Suntharathasan Kanathasan was caught attempting to import 1,100 vaporisers and was sentenced to 14 weeks’ jail. A 22-year-old Malaysian, Muhammad Haiqal Zaini, was separately sentenced to 18 weeks’ jail after attempting to import 3,480 vaporisers and related components.
Foreign nationals convicted of relevant offences in Singapore may be deported after serving their sentences and barred from returning to the country.
More Than 600 Online Listings Removed
Authorities have also been targeting the online sale and promotion of vaporisers.
Between April and June, HSA worked with e-commerce and social media platforms to remove more than 600 online listings involving vaporisers and related components.
No individuals were caught posting photos or videos of themselves vaping on social media during the quarter, according to HSA.
Meanwhile, 264 offenders were placed on rehabilitation programmes during the three-month period, bringing the total number placed on such programmes since September 2025 to 787. Of these, 245 have successfully completed their programmes.
HSA said enforcement action would also be taken against offenders who fail to comply with rehabilitation requirements. Since September 2025, 288 people have defaulted on their rehabilitation programmes, with 41 charged and serving sentences, while another 152 are undergoing court proceedings.
QuitVape Programme To End From September
The authorities also announced that the voluntary QuitVape programme will cease from 1 September 2026.
The programme was introduced in September 2025 to give people abusing etomidate-containing vaporisers an opportunity to seek help and quit without facing penalties or receiving an offence record.
Between September 2025 and June 2026, 188 people aged between 15 and 44 voluntarily enrolled in QuitVape.
From September, people seeking help for etomidate abuse may approach the Institute of Mental Health, where relevant services will be available on a chargeable basis. Eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents may receive subsidies when referred through qualifying sources.
For regular vaping that does not involve etomidate, the Health Promotion Board will continue providing cessation support through its I Quit programme.
Authorities stressed that people who voluntarily seek help will not face penalties or receive an offence record simply for coming forward. However, those caught abusing etomidate or possessing and using prohibited vaporisers will remain subject to enforcement action under Singapore’s laws.
The enforcement landscape was further strengthened after the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act came into effect on 1 May 2026, introducing enhanced powers and penalties covering vaporisers and specified psychoactive substances such as etomidate.