SINGAPORE – From April 1 to June 30, 245 students were referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) by schools and institutes of higher learning for vaping.
In the same three-month period, over 480 young people received smoking and vaping cessation counselling, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and HSA in a joint statement on Aug 11.
They also announced that a programme for individuals to voluntarily seek help to quit etomidate abuse – QuitVape – will cease on Sept 1 as take-up has moderated.
In a review of the vape situation for the second quarter of 2026, the authorities said 2,428 people were caught for possession and use of vaporisers from April 1 to June 30.
Of these, 1,971 people, or 81 per cent, were regular vaporiser offenders, while the remaining 457 people were etomidate vaporiser offenders.
The number of vape cases caught each month during the second quarter was 809 on average. This is about 30 per cent lower than the 1,219 cases caught each month between June and August 2025, said the two authorities, noting that stricter measures kicked in on Sept 1, 2025.
More than 3,900 vaporisers and related components were seized from Singapore’s checkpoints in the second quarter.
In the same time period, nine people were charged over the import or supply of etomidate vaporiser pods, and 14 were convicted of selling etomidate vaporiser pods.
Importers, suppliers of etomidate vaporisers
Of the nine people charged over the import and supply of etomidate vaporisers, six were allegedly part of a transnational syndicate. More than $880,000 worth of etomidate vaporiser pods were seized from the six accused.
Among the 14 people convicted included a man who was sentenced to 16 months and five weeks’ jail, after he was found with 802 vaporiser pods containing etomidate that were meant for sale.
Enforcement at checkpoints, on public transport
In the second quarter of 2026, enforcement at Singapore’s air, land and sea checkpoints by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, alongside joint operations with HSA, led to the detection of 19 people importing regular vaporisers.
Of the 19 people, one has been prosecuted, and eight others are under investigation. The rest were fined or given stern warnings.
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