Singapore cracks down on vaping with airport raids and steep fines
Singaporean authorities cracked down on vaping in late December 2023, targeting travellers arriving at Changi Airport. Over four days, a joint operation by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) caught 177 people carrying e-vaporisers. The move forms part of broader efforts to enforce strict anti-vaping laws across the country. The operation ran from 26 to 29 December, with officers focusing on passengers with suspicious luggage. Those found with undeclared e-vaporisers faced immediate fines, while others who declared their devices could dispose of them without penalty. Out of the 177 cases, 61 individuals were fined, and 116 voluntarily surrendered their vapes to avoid charges.
Authorities also stepped up checks at other entry points, including Tuas Checkpoint. There, officers seized 25 e-vaporisers and related components. The crackdown aligns with Singapore's Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, which bans the possession, use, or purchase of e-vaporisers, with fines reaching up to S$2,000.
E-vaporisers contain harmful substances like nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals, posing risks of lung injuries and second-hand exposure. The government's firm stance aims to prevent vaping from taking hold in the country. The operation highlights Singapore's zero-tolerance approach to vaping. Confiscations, fines, and heightened inspections at all checkpoints signal ongoing enforcement. Travellers entering the country are warned to comply with the law or face penalties.
