HSA Operation Uncovers Drugs and E-vaporisers with Etomidate, Two Persons Assisting in Investigations
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Tobacco control
21 August 2025
This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
On 22 July 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted an operation targeting illegal e-vaporiser sales, following an alert from a courier company. The courier staff had discovered that the parcel he was transporting contained e-vaporiser pods when the contents were accidentally exposed by the recipient of the parcel. The parcel had been falsely declared to contain food items.
2 Acting on the information, HSA enforcement officers raided two locations. At the first location at a residence along Grange Road, HSA officers found drug paraphernalia, 43 e-vaporiser pods, 13 e-vaporisers and related components. A 25-year-old woman, identified as the seller, was found in an unresponsive state.
3 The second raid, conducted at the buyer’s residence along Tampines Street 33 on the same day, uncovered about 0.6g of ‘Ice’ along with drug paraphernalia, more than 80 heat-not-burn tobacco products, one e-vaporiser, four e-vaporiser pods tested to contain etomidate, two packets and five sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes. The buyer, a 34-year-old man was subsequently arrested for suspected drug-related offences by Police officers present at the scene. The suspected customs-related offence has been referred to Singapore Customs.
4 Both the seller and buyer are being investigated by HSA for e-vaporiser offences and Central Narcotics Bureau for suspected drug offences.
Penalties for e-vaporiser offences in Singapore
5 The purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are prohibited in Singapore under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. This includes purchases made through the Internet and from overseas. HSA takes a serious view of these offences and will take stern action against those who violate the law. Offenders can be fined up to $2,000.
6 It is also an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components. Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence. All prohibited tobacco items will be seized and confiscated.
7 Etomidate will soon be classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Offenders caught using etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation. Repeat offenders are liable to be prosecuted and subject to jail for at least a year. More severe penalties apply to those selling, distributing or importing these devices, including imprisonment of up to 20 years and caning.
8 Users of e-vaporisers, particularly those consuming etomidate, are strongly urged to cease consumption immediately.
Reporting channels for e-vaporiser offences
9 Even as the government has intensified surveillance and enforcement measures against e-vaporisers, members of the public continue to play a crucial role in our fight against illegal e-vaporiser activities. Those who have information on the illegal advertisement, import, distribution, sale or possession of e-vaporisers can contact HSA to support our enforcement efforts through two convenient channels:
Submit information through our online reporting form: www.go.gov.sg/reportvape or scan the QR code:

Call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037, operational daily, including weekends and public holidays, from 9am to 9pm
10 HSA has partnered with the People’s Association to place e-vaporiser disposal bins across the island at 26 Community Clubs and one Resident’s Network Centre for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of e-vaporisers safely. They can visit go.gov.sg/bin-vapes to locate the nearest bin. Bins were also placed at the six autonomous universities. Persons who come forward to bin their e-vaporiser or voluntarily seek support for quitting will not face any penalties for doing so.
11 Information about the harms of e-vaporisers is available on the HealthHub website. Smokers or vapers who need help with quitting can call the Health Promotion Board’s toll-free Quitline at 1800-438-2000.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
21 AUGUST 2025
