Harms of vaping
Vaporisers are known to contain harmful chemicals such as fine particulate matter, cancer-causing agents like carbonyls and volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Additionally, dangerous heavy metals like tin, lead and nickel have also been found in these devices, making them inherently harmful to health. Despite being packaged in colourful and sleek forms with sweet and fruity flavours to mask their health risks, the primary function of vaporisers is to dispense nicotine, a highly addictive substance.
Nicotine consumption can lead to acute side effects such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and in severe cases, sweating, nausea, and diarrhoea. Apart from health risks, nicotine exposure during adolescence can have permanent effects on impulse control, negatively impact the developing brain's ability to learn and focus, and lead to mood disorders.
Find out why you should not vape and read more about the harms of vaporisers.
Multipronged approach
The Ministry of Health (MOH), Health Promotion Board, HSA, and Ministry of Education (MOE) adopt a multipronged approach comprising legislation, public education, counselling, rehabilitation and enforcement to curb the supply and demand for vaporisers, as well as to encourage positive social support from friends and family to tackle youth vaping.
MOH and HSA also work with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, National Environment Agency, and MOE to step up enforcement on multiple fronts, including in the community, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning, at the checkpoints, and online. Other agencies supporting vaping enforcement include Central Narcotics Bureau, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Land Transport Authority, Ministry of Manpower, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Singapore Prison Service.
Since 1 September 2025, beyond punitive measures, etomidate offenders and repeat vaporiser users are also required to attend rehabilitation to support them in giving up vaping.
HSA monitors local online retail sites, social media platforms and messaging apps for any suspected peddling of such prohibited products and their refill liquids and cartridges. We also work with online platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Carousell to remove such listings promptly upon detection.
View the latest enforcement-related news here.
Penalties
Enhanced Penalties and Enforcement Across the Board
From 1 February 2018, the purchase, possession, and use of emerging and imitation tobacco products, which include vaporisers, have been prohibited. This is in addition to earlier prohibitions on the importation, sale, and distribution of these products.
With effect from 1 May 2026, etomidate and its analogues will be listed as SPS in a new Schedule under TVCA. This Schedule will provide the Ministry of Health and HSA with the powers to enforce against substances or products that can cause a psychoactive effect when consumed, and are abused or likely to be abused by using a tobacco product, vaporiser, or imitation tobacco product. New substances and products can be listed in the future when the need arises.
Stiff Penalties Remain for SPS Offences:
- Suppliers: 2 to 10 years' imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the case
- Importers: 3 to 20 years' imprisonment and 5 to 10 strokes of the case
- Individuals: Can be fined up to $20,000, or face up to 10 years of imprisonment, or both
Enhanced Penalties for All Prohibited Products:
- Suppliers: Mandatory imprisonment for up to 6 years, and a fine of up to $200,000
- Importers: Mandatory imprisonment for up to 9 years, and a fine of up to $300,000
- Individuals: Can be fined up to $10,000
Continued Rehabilitation for Offenders
Rehabilitation remains a main intervention for etomidate vaporiser offenders and repeat vaporiser offenders. The Chief Executive of HSA will be empowered to order community-based rehabilitation and institutional treatment and rehabilitation under the TVCA. This also includes requiring persons, such as those under the community-based rehabilitation order or those discharged from the Drug Rehabilitation Centre after treatment and rehabilitation for SPS consumption, to provide urine or hair specimens to check if they are still consuming SPS. Those who do not comply can be prosecuted.
Guidance for Owners and Occupiers on Preventing Storage of Prohibited Tobacco Products
With effect from 1 May 2026, owners and occupiers of land, buildings or places are required to exercise due care to prevent the storage of prohibited tobacco products, such as vaporisers and related components, and other imitation tobacco products* in their premises. This is a requirement under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993.
To assist premises owners and occupiers, HSA has provided a guideline of what constitutes “due care”.
Commercial premises
Owners and occupiers of commercial land, buildings or places (e.g. warehouses, retail units, industrial spaces etc.) may refer to the Handbook on Exercising Due Care for Owners and Occupiers of Commercial Premises in Singapore, which sets out recommended best practices to demonstrate due care.
Handbook on Exercising Due Care for Owners and Occupiers of Commercial Premises in Singapore
Residential premises
Owners and occupiers of non-commercial premises (e.g. flats, private residences) will also need to exercise due care to ensure that their tenants do not store prohibited tobacco products in these premises, should their premises be tenanted out. Recommended measures which can be adopted for such premises include:
1. Tenant Verification
Owners should verify the tenant’s identity and contact details before leasing the property to ensure that the tenant is legitimate.
2. Rental Agreement
Rental agreements are recommended to include specific clauses to expressly prohibit storage of prohibited tobacco products on the premises.
Owners can also require tenants to sign declarations affirming that no unlawful or prohibited activities, including the storage of prohibited products, are being conducted on the premises.
3. General Vigilance
Owners and occupiers should remain alert to signs of illegal activity and conduct checks if you receive feedback or you have observed signs of the storage of prohibited tobacco products.
If you encounter difficulties in conducting such checks, for example where a tenant refuses to cooperate, you may contact the Health Sciences Authority for assistance by calling 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 (7.00am to 12.00am daily).
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*Examples of prohibited items include tobacco products (such as cigarettes) which exceed the maximum tar and nicotine limits, heated tobacco products (heat-not-burn products) such as IQOS, shisha tobacco, nicotine pouches, vaporisers and their components (e.g. vaporiser pods, e-liquids), and articles, devices, or food products (e.g. toy or confectionery) which are designed to resemble a tobacco product.
Owners and Managers of Public Entertainment Outlets to Take Action Against Vaping on Premises
With effect from 1 May 2026, owners or managers of specified premises (such as discotheques, pubs, bars, lounges, nightclubs and KTV establishments) under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 are legally required to take certain actions against the possession and use vaporisers, imitation tobacco products, heated tobacco products (heat-not-burn products) and other prohibited items^ under TVCA within their premises.
What the owners and operators are required to do:
If an individual is found in possession of prohibited items:
Inform the individual to dispose of the item immediately and inform him/her that possession is an offence. If the individual refuses or fails to comply, request that he/she leave the premises immediately.
If an individual is found using prohibited items:
Inform the individual to stop using and dispose of the item immediately and inform him/her that possession or use is an offence. If the individual refuses, or fails to comply, request that he/she leave the premises immediately.
If the individual refuses to leave:
Contact the Health Sciences Authority via our 24/7 hotline at 6866 3585. Seek assistance from the Police if there are law and order issues. Provide reasonable assistance to the officer in dealing with the situation.
For any other matters relating to vaping management (e.g., advice on appropriate next steps or follow-up actions after the incident), you may contact HSA for assistance by calling 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 (7.00am to 12.00am daily).
Handling complaints:
Investigate complaints lodged by other individuals regarding possession or use of prohibited items. If the complaint is found to be true, take appropriate action as outlined above.
Premises owners or operators who fail to carry out their statutory duties may be liable to a fine of up to $1,000 for the first conviction, or a fine of up to $2,000 for the second or subsequent conviction.
Any obstruction, abuse, or assault against the owner or manager who is performing these duties is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both.
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^ Prohibited items include heated tobacco products (heat-not-burn products) such as IQOS, shisha tobacco, nicotine pouches, vaporisers and their components (e.g. vaporiser pods, e-liquids), and articles, devices, or food products (e.g. toy or confectionery) which are designed to resemble a tobacco product.