67 people caught for vape-related offences placed in rehab: MOH and HSA

17/10/2025 68 Views

SINGAPORE – A total of 67 people have been placed in rehabilitation programmes, out of 1,339 people caught for vape-related offences between Sept 1 and Oct 12.

Among the 67, two failed to attend their first appointments at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Health Promotion Board (HPB) or social services agencies, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a joint statement on Oct 16.

The HSA is investigating the two, who may face prosecution for failing to attend their appointments.

Among the 1,339 people caught, 102 were found with etomidate-laced vapes, while 32 foreigners and five Singapore residents were caught for vape possession at the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, held from Oct 3 to 5.

All of those that were caught at the F1 race were fined on the spot, MOH and HSA said.

The 37 people caught at the F1 race represented a fivefold decrease from those caught in the 2024 edition, “likely due to an increase in awareness of the enhanced anti-vaping measures implemented since Sept 1, 2025”.

Also, eight people were charged in court over vape-related offences in the past six weeks, including

a 17-year-old

over allegedly trafficking etomidate-laced vapes.

During that period, eight cases of smuggling that involved regular e-vaporisers were detected at the airport, checkpoints or cruise centres. More than 26,000 e-vaporisers and their related components were seized.

From Sept 1 to Oct 12, HSA’s online reporting form and hotlines received 1,968 reports of vape-related activities, and the authority removed more than 340 online vape-related listings, websites and Telegram groups.

“HSA would like to thank the public for their vigilance and encourage the public to continue their valuable contribution to law enforcement by providing comprehensive details when reporting suspected offences,” the statement said.

Since Sept 1, Singapore has adopted stricter rules against vaping, with higher penalties imposed and mandatory rehabilitation for recalcitrant users.

Those who fail to complete their rehabilitation will be prosecuted.

Anyone caught using e-vaporisers for a third time and more will be prosecuted, and could be fined up to $2,000.

Users of etomidate-laced vapes, meanwhile, must attend rehabilitation for up to six months. Second-time offenders will be arrested and subject to urine testing and rehabilitation, along with mandatory supervision for six months.

Third-time offenders who are 16 or older will have to undergo a 12-month regime, including being detained at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

Importers of etomidate e-vaporisers can be jailed between three and 20 years, and receive between five and 15 strokes of the cane. Sellers and distributors can be jailed between two and 10 years, and caned between two and five times.

However, those who willingly come forward to seek help will not face any penalties nor have an offence logged in their record.

The authorities said that in the last six weeks, 35 people enrolled in the QuitVape programme at IMH and the four participating social services agencies to quit using etomidate e-vaporisers.