Stop Vaping

From the health risks of vaping to the Government's stepped-up regime against vapes - this vodcast special reveals the real and rising dangers of vape use and what’s being done to tackle the issue.

This first episode features special guests:

• Adjunct Associate Prof Puah Ser Hon - Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital

• Adjunct Prof Dr Raymond Chua - Chief Executive of Health Sciences Authority (HSA)

• Muhammad Dandiar Rosli - Ex-Vaper

Youths are especially vulnerable to the dangers of vaping. In this episode, we dive into how vaping affects young people, from health risks to social pressures, and explore meaningful ways to start a conversation with them. Discover the real impact in this eye-opening 2-part vodcast.

This second episode features special guests:

• Dr Annabelle Chow - Clinical Psychologist

• Delfard Tay - Lost his daughter, Shermaine Tay, to Kpods

• RunnerKao - Social Media Influencer, @runnerkao

• Cigarettes were legal and widely used for many decades, before their harms were known and are unfortunately deeply entrenched in many societies, including Singapore.

• To counter the harms of cigarettes, the Government has adopted a stringent regulatory framework for cigarettes. This includes high tobacco taxes, restrictions on advertising, graphic health warnings on packaging and smoking bans in public places, aimed at reducing smoking rates. These measures have been relatively effective, as seen in declining smoking prevalence in Singapore over the years.

• In contrast, e-vaporisers are a relatively new product, and the Government has the opportunity to prevent these from becoming entrenched the same way as traditional cigarettes. Singapore is also not unique in banning these products, about 34 countries ban sales of e-vaporisers globally^[1].

• The ban aims to pre-emptively stop these new harmful and addictive products from entering the market, and prevent a new set of associated health issues, especially given the growing body of evidence that suggests that they are not without harm and e-vaporisers are not safer than cigarettes. A study by HSA on the commonly found e-vaporisers in Singapore last year found that the nicotine consumed from one e-vaporiser can be equivalent to about three to four cigarette packs.

^[1] WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023: protect people from tobacco smoke. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240077164).

• Trafficking, possession and consumption of controlled drugs in any medium, including e-vaporisers, are already offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). Possessing any apparatus or article, including e-vaporisers, for the consumption of controlled drugs, is also an offence under the MDA.

• The Ministry of Health (MOH) takes a multi-pronged approach to curb the illicit sale and use of e-vaporisers. HSA works closely with agencies such as the Singapore Police Force, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, National Parks Board and National Environment Agency to enforce against e-vaporisers, while CNB and Health Sciences Authority work together on the investigations against offenders who use e-vaporisers to consume controlled drugs.

• Preventive efforts are also in place. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Ministry of Education (MOE) work together to raise awareness about the harms of vaping and encourage our youths to lead a nicotine-free lifestyle, complementing CNB’s preventive drug education efforts, which aims to raise awareness of the harms of drugs, especially amongst youths, regardless of how they are consumed.

• The Notice of Composition and fine upon prosecution are a form of financial penalty meted out to offenders. There is an established process for appeals which parents may apply to.

• On top of financial penalties, the priority is also to ensure that those who require rehabilitation will receive the support accordingly. From 1 September 2025, second-time e-vaporiser offenders and all etomidate e-vaporiser offenders will be required to attend rehabilitation programmes, to support them on desisting from e-vaporiser use.

• Rehabilitation programmes for youths under MSF’s Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme (for first and second-time etomidate e-vaporiser offenders) would include family sessions, to reflect the crucial role parents and other family members play as a support system in preventing relapses and sustaining long-term rehabilitation.

• The QuitVape programme is designed to support individuals who voluntarily seek help to overcome their dependence on vaping. IMH and SSAs offers rehabilitation services for those who voluntarily seek help to overcome etomidate vaping. The public can seek help for smoking and vaping cessation from the Health Promotion Board’s (HPB)’s I Quit Programme, if they are not using etomidate e-vaporisers. 

• Parents can also refer to the Families for Life website for conversation tips to initiate an open conversation with their child on vaping and etomidate use, to encourage their child to seek treatment voluntarily. Tips are also available on HPB’s ParentHub website and Parenting for Wellness website. 

• Rehabilitation for second-time e-vaporiser offenders will be provided by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).

• Rehabilitation for first- and second-time etomidate e-vaporiser offenders aged 21 years old and above will be provided by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Social Service Agencies (SSAs). IMH will work closely with the SSAs to provide a comprehensive community rehabilitation programme.

• Rehabilitation for first- and second-time etomidate e-vaporiser offenders under 21 years of age will be under the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Youth Enhanced Supervision scheme.

• Etomidate e-vaporiser offenders (aged 16 years and above) caught for the third time or more will be admitted to and detained at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) for treatment and rehabilitation.   

• The government has ramped up comprehensive anti-vaping messaging across multiple platforms to inform the public about the dangers of vaping and etomidate e-vaporisers. We have launched a dedicated anti-vaping microsite at gov.sg/stopvaping. We have also rolled out public education materials on digital display panels islandwide, free-to-air TV, radio, mainstream newspapers, digital, social and out-of-home platforms. There are also ongoing collaborations with online content partners.

• Prior to this, HPB had also launched a public communications campaign in June 2025, specifically to reach out to youths and young adults aged 18-35. The campaign aimed to raise awareness of vaping’s illegality and health harms and encourage our youths and young adults to see past the seemingly “attractive” facade and recognise the real, harmful impact of vaping. This included advertisements at multiple youth-frequented touchpoints such as bus stops, buses, MRT stations, cinemas and digital display panels, alongside targeted social media, digital ads and online content platforms.

• Public education remains a priority in schools and institutes of higher learning. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Ministry of Education (MOE) work closely together to develop anti-vaping educational materials that are incorporated into school curricula. These materials support prevention efforts by educating students about the illegal status of e-vaporisers and the harmful effects of vaping, while helping them develop practical skills to resist peer pressure and maintain a nicotine-free lifestyle.