Singapore has a reputation for being a strict country with a lot of laws. As an example, there’s not a country in the world with as many restrictions on chewing gum. Anyway, with the increasing popularity of vaping, it’s worth noting that the country is cracking down on that to a great extent, and it’s something that travelers, including those in transit, should be aware of (thanks to Konrad for flagging this)…
In this post:
Singapore adds harsh fines & punishment for vaping
Singapore has technically banned vaping since 2018, and it’s one of only two countries to do so (with India being the other one). However, enforcement hasn’t necessarily been that strict… until now.
As of September 1, 2025, Singapore will be stepping up punishment for those who are caught vaping, and this can impact visitors as well. The intent is to have stricter and more uniform regulations when it comes to tackling this, due to an increase in vaping in the country.
As Singapore’s Home Affairs Minister explains, “it’s not yet a problem that’s out of control, but we see it as an increasing problem and we don’t want to wait until it goes out of control, so we are moving in early.”
Foreigners caught with vapes will have their devices seized, and will be issued a fine on the spot. Those who are repeat offenders will be banned from the country. The punishment will be even stricter for those caught with etomidate vapes (Kpods), or those who test positive for the drug.
If you travel through Singapore Changi Airport, you’ll now hear announcements about laws against vaping, and there will be bins at the airport in both the arrivals and transit area, allowing those with vapes to dispose of them without punishment.
The rules even apply to transit passengers who aren’t entering the country, though Singapore’s Home Affairs Minister has made it clear that enforcement might not be quite as strong there:
“But if you are an abuser, and you are transiting through Singapore, and we notice… A question we’ll have to assess is, how much resources do we want to expend by arresting you, bringing you in(to) Singapore and then giving you rehabilitation? We’ll have to take a sensible approach on these things.”
Here’s what locals can expect in terms of punishment:
- On the first offense, those under 18 will be fined 500 SGD, while those 18 and above will be fined 700 SGD (that fine also applies to foreigners)
- On the second offense, those caught with vapes will need to attend rehabilitation for three months
- On the third offense, those caught with vapes will face prosecution and a fine of up to 2,000 SGD
Meanwhile for those found with etomidate vapes, the enforcement will be even stricter:
- On the first offense, those under 18 will be fined 500 SGD, while those 18 and above will be fined 700 SGD, in addition to up to six months of rehabilitation
- On the second offense, those caught with etomidate vapes will face mandatory supervision for six months, including drug testing
- On the third offense, those caught with etomidate vapes will face mandatory rehabilitation for 12 months
Those found supplying etomidate vapes will face much stricter punishment, including up to 20 years in jail, and up to 15 strokes of the cane.
Hey, this seems fair enough, by Singapore standards
For a country that has heavy restrictions on chewing gum, these regulations hardly seem out of line. If you want to be a society with as many rules as Singapore, it’s also important to actually enforce laws, or else it becomes a slippery slope.
Now, personally I of course think some of these punishments are a bit harsh, but who am I to judge another country’s laws? It’s not like Singapore is secretive about this, and as a society, Singapore runs pretty well. I do find it strange how Singapore allows smoking cigarettes in some capacity, while not allowing vaping, as that seems a little inconsistent. But then again, which country doesn’t have some inconsistent laws?
I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that you could even be subject to these strict rules if simply transiting the airport. Then again, government officials are acknowledging that they’re not sure to what extent it’s worth going after those travelers.
Bottom line
While Singapore has banned vaping for years, the country will be stepping up enforcement of these laws as of September 1, 2025. Specifically, Singapore will be increasing fines and introducing additional punishment for repeat offenders. Etomidate vape dealers will also be facing jail time and caning.
What do you make of Singapore’s strict new enforcement of vaping laws?
Vaping is banned in Thailand, yet very easy to find.
What the hell is an etomidate vape? Have never heard of it and when you google it nearly all of the results are just about Singapore’s ban.
The real reasoning behind this is to totally stop the recent influx of so-called “K-pods”, which is a synthetic weed-like drug that comes in vape pods and has hit popularity in Singapore. As we all know Singapore is notoriously strict on drugs and this is no exception, no fun allowed here.
Makes me wants move to Singapore. Vapes are worse than smoking because of the self entitled pricks who think the smoking rules don’t apply to them, not to mention the vile scents.
It is now becoming apparent how dangerous vaping is. IIRC, the UK has instituted law to prohibit the selling of vaping products to those < 18 years.
Brazil is another country to have banned vaping.
Yeah but only India and Singapore enforce it. Plenty of countries have “banned” it, including Thailand HK, but no issues for personal consumption
There is a difference between bans on import, sale, ownership or use of them. And after that there’s the question of enforcing.
Use and Possession is banned in both Thailand and Hong Kong. As of December 2024 the same in the Maldives and from this year in Vietnam. The list of countries that ban use is getting longer. Whether there is enforcement that’s another question, and if vaping travellers are willing to risk enforcement by visiting any country that bans use.
Umm @Phillip, is your last name happen to be Morris?
You seem to do a very good job at convincing people the threat of "willing to risk enforcement" for raping.
Because if they enforce the ban, money flows straight to Phillip.
Those who preach and lecture the virtues of democracy lacks comprehension of its definition. How do Electoral College and filibuster define democracy? They are the two main arteries of government functions. If government is not democratic, are we to believe that the government will preserve, protect and share democracy with its populace? Democracy is majority rule. There are much more multi-millionaire and billionaire politicians in this government than before. Do we assume that the majority...
Those who preach and lecture the virtues of democracy lacks comprehension of its definition. How do Electoral College and filibuster define democracy? They are the two main arteries of government functions. If government is not democratic, are we to believe that the government will preserve, protect and share democracy with its populace? Democracy is majority rule. There are much more multi-millionaire and billionaire politicians in this government than before. Do we assume that the majority of population are multi-millionaires and billionaires as reflected in government representatives? If moronically so, who belong in the 10% and 1% cliques? We live in a society in which the silent majority is ruled by the tyrannical minority.
Singaporean passport is ranked No. 1 in the world. Singaporeans who attend US colleges are likely rejected by local universities, due to fierce competition. I love to live in the country absence of gun and drug violence and violent crimes. Watching "Trafficked" with Mariana van Zeller for years, I struggle to see how this is a strong and wealthy country. Influential and dominant via bullying-- an unequivocal yes. When you defend US values and tradition, especially attacking Singapore that ranks top on the list of and corrupt free countries in the world, you are most likely native born heterosexual white males and hypocritical Christians (do as I say not as I do). Stay silent in your bubble and refrain from expressing hateful comments or spreading violent culture to the world.
Singapore: please stop vaping in our country
globetrotter: here is my in depth analysis into why the American democratic system is corrupt
Well articulated globetrotter, thank you for your enlightening post. It is such a shame that you have to come to this website in order to defend the truth before some of the ignorant who choose to disseminate false news in their posts.
Our flights are booked (CDG-SIN-LHR) and Johor Bahru-Butterworth by train later in the week. The Long Bar mocktails are my favourite while my wife enjoys the slings …. :-)
Why smoking is ok buy no vaping? Simple Singapore manufactures a lot of cigarettes
Anyone old enough to remember the Michael Fay drama?
1993, American, living in Singapore with his parents arrested for vandalism.
Found guilty and sentenced to four months in prison, a fine and the really divisive punishment - six strikes of the Ratan, a kind of cane.
The news coverage was huge and worldwide, there was condemnation of 'how can this punishment be passed to an american'.
Billy Clinton even intervened and although Singapore stood firm...
Anyone old enough to remember the Michael Fay drama?
1993, American, living in Singapore with his parents arrested for vandalism.
Found guilty and sentenced to four months in prison, a fine and the really divisive punishment - six strikes of the Ratan, a kind of cane.
The news coverage was huge and worldwide, there was condemnation of 'how can this punishment be passed to an american'.
Billy Clinton even intervened and although Singapore stood firm it reduced the cane strikes from 6 to 4.
Take away - know the laws in the country you are in and expect them to apply to you.
Meh, we got 6 with the cane regularly throughout school. And no-one tried to step in and get you a cuddle instead.
Except Americans and Europeans are always surprised by laws in the Middle East and use themselves as a benchmark for human rights.
@ Duck Ling
If memory serves, the vandalism was damaging of someone's vehicle which was purposely left out of American media coverage. And for those not aware vehicles are terribly expensive to acquire in Singapore
He should have gotten 10 instead of 6
"vehicles are terribly expensive to acquire in Singapore"
The draconian results of authoritarian regime.
Vehicles are not expensive by itself, the permit to own a vehicle is.
The cheapest cost of 10 year permit is $100k, costs even more for a bigger car.
I'm not sure if you're just trying to get attention, but Singapore is not one of the most authoritarian countries on earth, or even particularly close. They're just noteworthy because they're surprisingly authoritarian for such a "first world" country
It's one of, if not, the most successful. Right closely with Kim.
Just trying to point through the propaganda machine.
But to the their credit, they made the choice to align with the "first world" while Kim went with "second world". So each trajectory is completely different.
And surprisingly Iran is also considered a "first world" country. But look at them now.
So please stop using such an obsolete term.
Pedantic predators prominently prevail permanently promoting pernicious propaganda …. one tries to ignore the resident trolls, however, some choose to snowball the opinions of others, right bro?
Having spoken to a lot of people who've switched from cigarettes to vapes, there's often an issue around the level of consumption in vapes. Without the natural end point of a cigarette they can find themselves consuming far more than previously.
Haven't seen anyone vape more than Italians. It is an absolute nightmare anywhere you go people vape while eating, on the streets, at the beach, etc....
One cannot standby while commentators post utter drivel about Singapore.
Comparing Singapore with the likes of North Korea, China and Russia, displays a total lack of understanding of these countries . Ignorance rules the false news which is being peddled by citizens of a country which drip feeds self righteous propaganda to the masses at every opportunity.
I'd like to add that Thailand is in the midst of a heavy crackdown on vapes as well
Well done.
There are only two countries in the world that successfully adopted an absolute authoritarian regime, North Korea and Singapore. Even China or Russia couldn't achieve such absolute control.
At least Singaporean residents are free to leave if they so choose. Makes it a bit different, eh?
Absolutely.
In that perspective, they are doing an even better job than Kim. They might be more successful than North Korea.
Not only are they very authoritarian, they successfully brainwash people by giving citizens long enough leash to cover things up under the false sense of freedom
"There are only two countries in the world that successfully adopted an absolute authoritarian regime, North Korea and Singapore."
You forgot the USA under the dotard and his enablers, though it's only in progress, and not "successfully adopted" yet.
Unlike those two, America has planted the seeds of democracy long enough that what you say would be impossible to sustain what those two regime accomplished, for better or worse.
Please offer the readers your definition of “Absolute”, “Authoritarian” and “Regime”?
Now then, explain what you mean by putting those three words into the same sentence as Singapore?
A full and rational explanation for your statement is necessary before one could ever take you seriously again Eskimo.
Absolute - You are an absolute idiot.
Authoritarian - You are an authoritarian idiot.
Regime - You are a regime idiot.
Now bugger off.
As one suspected Eskimo, you are incapable of rational reasoning and ever so content in your ignorance.
Thank you for confirming your trolls state of mind.
I'm just trolling KunTs like you. But most of the time you're too dumb to even respond to so I just have to ignore you.
This alter ego is not worth my time.
Tim at least can sometimes be rational and constructive, sometimes.
Eskimo, thank you once again for confirming your utter ignorance. It is evident that you are incapable of distinguishing between your fantasies and reality.
As for you posting anything vaguely related to aviation, travel or world politics, please remain silent. Without the prompt from others you would be completely invisible bro. A true troll through and through, who is incapable of communicating without the use of expletives …. you poor darlink, don’t let me...
Eskimo, thank you once again for confirming your utter ignorance. It is evident that you are incapable of distinguishing between your fantasies and reality.
As for you posting anything vaguely related to aviation, travel or world politics, please remain silent. Without the prompt from others you would be completely invisible bro. A true troll through and through, who is incapable of communicating without the use of expletives …. you poor darlink, don’t let me keep you from trolling your favourite victims …. :-)
At the moment, checks for vapes (through x-rays and physical searches) are only done if you cross customs into Singapore. There is no mechanism for transit passengers to be checked (except if you have go through security screening before boarding connecting flight) but airlines/airport authorities prohibit carrying on vapes, right?
Airlines prohibit the USE of vape not carrying one. Airport is likely under the regimes control.
And what do you think will happen in a country that even you don't use narcotics but if it exists in your body system you'll be arrested for drug trafficking.
"At the moment, checks for vapes (through x-rays and physical searches) are only done if you cross customs into Singapore."
Yes, but even then only a teeny tiny fraction of those entering S'pore are pulled aside for bag checks, and fewer for physical searches.
"There is no mechanism for transit passengers to be checked (except if you have go through security screening before boarding connecting flight)..."
...and 100% of connecting passengers in Singapore go through...
"At the moment, checks for vapes (through x-rays and physical searches) are only done if you cross customs into Singapore."
Yes, but even then only a teeny tiny fraction of those entering S'pore are pulled aside for bag checks, and fewer for physical searches.
"There is no mechanism for transit passengers to be checked (except if you have go through security screening before boarding connecting flight)..."
...and 100% of connecting passengers in Singapore go through security screening before boarding connecting flights, so there is ALWAYS a mechanism for transit passengers to be checked at Changi.
corporal punishment is simply unsuited to an advanced society, though i suppose it's small beans compared to capital punishment
"corporal punishment is simply unsuited to an advanced society..."
Agreed, as is killing those who commit crimes, but US "Christians" seem to love it.
That's why the idea of freedom or human rights have outpaced the reality of current population.
People understands it, but isn't ready for it. But it's a good propaganda to make you feel more advanced and believe in a better place. Politicians can sell this idea of progressing forward.
But it's all propaganda. Society is still centuries away from not having the urge to chop off someone else's head who disagree with you.
You have to credit Singapore with one thing at least -- when they see a problem they feel will become a bigger problem, they aren't afraid to put in place laws to address it before it does.
Don't get me wrong. Singapore does deserve credit. Like how they successfully crackdown drugs or peculiar chewing gums.
So don't expect the privilege of tobacco, DEI, pro-life, right to bear arms or other hot debate issues in Singapore. Do you want to give up part of your freedom for a discipline society?
Singapore views vaping as gateway towards smoking cigarettes, especially when manufacturers have targeted the young (favours, designs), so banning vaping is logical.
Cigarettes are heavily taxed in Singapore, and there are big restrictions where they can be consumed.
Vaping is prohibited in many countries including Brazil, Argentina,Mexico, Qatar and Thailand, not only India and Singapore. It’s also out of control with kids doing it, and people doing it in places where they shouldn’t including aircraft, theatres and public transport. If someone feels the need to vape every 5 mins it’s a problem and has replaced cigarettes.
You just list countries with very effective lobbying power from tobacco companies.
Isnt that a good thing? it sounds like a good tool for harm reduction in that case no?
Why not ban all tobacco.
"Isnt that a good thing? it sounds like a good tool for harm reduction in that case no?"
So it doesn't matter it's good or not. They don't give an eff. Just making money by addicted victims.
It's all about the money never about the people.
I'd never heard of etomidate until now.
Is smoking (like cigarettes) banned in Singapore now? I have to admit that over all my visits in the last four years, I don't think I've even *seen* anyone smoking, but then again, I've never looked to see if it's banned as well.
You can smoke in your own home and [very] few public areas.
Smoking is allowed in own homes and within designated yellow boxes in public outdoor places – these are usually out of view, but not always, as the intention is to limit second-hand smoke. The cigarettes have to be duty paid though, with no duty-free allowances whatsoever.
Vaping was likely regulated to a lesser extent as smoking comes with a duty meant to reduce consumption, and vaping presents itself as a way to escape being subject...
Smoking is allowed in own homes and within designated yellow boxes in public outdoor places – these are usually out of view, but not always, as the intention is to limit second-hand smoke. The cigarettes have to be duty paid though, with no duty-free allowances whatsoever.
Vaping was likely regulated to a lesser extent as smoking comes with a duty meant to reduce consumption, and vaping presents itself as a way to escape being subject to duty. The society, which is largely non-smoking and non-vaping, was probably exercising some tolerance in the issue, even though vaping is illegal and duties should be imposed to control consumption.
The Singapore Government probably feels that it is impractical and unrealistic to ban smoking, but there is still a strong need to mitigate the externalities associated with smoking on society.
But regulation and enforcement has stepped up many folds in recent weeks due to etomidate, which have caused people to become intoxicated, with cases of vape users collapsing in train cabins, endangering the lives of themselves and others.
Clearly this is explicitly offensive to the general public and action must be taken in line with popular opinion. Singaporeans, cognisant of the serious effects of drugs and its effect on the society, tends to be quite firm about drug abuse, so there is no doubt that a situation which concerns fighting drugs like etomidate will get very popular support locally.
Singaporean, thank you for presenting your personal perspective on this subject. Undoubtedly many who have posed herein would have done better to have read your post before attacking their keyboards. You must read some post with a heavy heart and shake your head in wonderment at the ignorance.
Smoking is not banned in Singapore. You can smoke almost anywhere outdoors except 1 metre from busstops, under sheltered areas, and orchard road (there are designated areas for smoking).
Etomidate laced vapes (kpod) are now classified as Class C drugs. As these have caused significant issues among the abusers (death, health, mental etc) which is why the govt is enforcing these strict rules.