SINGAPORE \u2013 New anti-vape laws have been proposed, with the Government <\/p>\n planning to raise fines<\/p>\n <\/a> by five times for users, 20 times for sellers and 30 times for smugglers.<\/p>\n The Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill was introduced in Parliament on Feb 12.<\/p>\n The Bill proposes significant changes to the current Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, including changing its name to the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act.<\/p>\n It also proposes raising fines for offences relating to vapes and introducing a new definition of specified psychoactive substances.<\/p>\n If passed, vape users will be looking at fines of up to $10,000, while sellers can be handed fines of up to $200,000 and six years\u2019 jail.<\/p>\n Smugglers can be fined up to $300,000 and jailed for nine years.<\/p>\n The Bill comes just six months after the Government had, on Aug 28, 2025, announced tougher measures for those who vaped or sold or trafficked vapes.<\/p>\n Currently, <\/p>\n vape users face a maximum fine of $2,000,<\/p>\n <\/a> while anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.<\/p>\n The maximum penalties are doubled for repeat offenders who distribute, import or sell vapes and their components.<\/p>\n The proposed new laws also look to deal with the <\/p>\n anaesthetic agent etomidate<\/p>\n <\/a>, listing it and its analogues as specified psychoactive substances.<\/p>\n This will broaden the scope of the Act and provide for the treatment and rehabilitation of those who abuse such substances.<\/p>\n Etomidate has been listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class C drug since Sept 1, 2025, because more <\/p>\n young people were using etomidate-laced vapes<\/p>\n <\/a>, known as Kpods.<\/p>\n This enabled the authorities to clamp down on the scourge.<\/p>\n Currently, because of the temporary listing of etomidate as an illicit drug, those found possessing or using etomidate can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined $20,000.<\/p>\n Those who traffic etomidate can be jailed for up to 10 years and given five strokes of the cane.<\/p>\n Those who smuggle etomidate into Singapore can be jailed for up to 20 years and given 15 strokes of the cane.<\/p>\n The Bill proposes similar punishments and makes it clear that they will apply to Singaporeans and permanent residents even if they commit the offences overseas.<\/p>\n Etomidate, which can trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis when vaped, was previously classified under the Poisons Act as a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice.<\/p>\n This previously allowed for a maximum penalty of only two years\u2019 jail and a $10,000 fine for possession, use and trafficking of Kpods.<\/p>\n The temporary listing of etomidate as a Class C drug was supposed to end on Feb 28.<\/p>\n But it was <\/p>\n recently extended till April 30<\/p>\n <\/a>, after Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said it would remain so while the Ministry of Health drafted amendments to current laws.<\/p>\n In his National Day Rally speech in August 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Government would take much tougher action against vaping and <\/p>\n treat it as a drug issue<\/p>\n <\/a>, with stiffer penalties to be imposed.<\/p>\n He said it was a serious concern and that etomidate might be the danger for now, but in future it could be something worse.<\/p>\n <\/a> Vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, with the clampdown escalating since July 2025. <\/p>\n More than 3,500 people were caught for possession and use of vapes in the\u00a0<\/p>\n last four months of 2025<\/p>\n <\/a>. Of these, 366 used Kpods.<\/p>\n The Bill is expected to be debated at a later date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n