Stop Vaping - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• 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).

• Singapore takes a harm elimination stance on emerging and imitation tobacco products to protect our population from the known and unknown health risks of these products. The importation, sale, distribution for sale, possession, use and purchase of such products, including e-vaporisers, are prohibited. 

• E-vaporisers contain a range of toxic substances and nicotine, which is highly addictive, particularly for youths. There is accumulating evidence on the longer-term harms of e-vaporisers. The evidence on e-vaporisers as a smoking cessation aid is not strong, with concerns of continued longer-term usage of e-vaporisers even after quitting cigarette smoking and dual usage of e-vaporisers and cigarettes among those who failed to quit cigarette smoking.

• 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.

• At the borders, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) adopts a multi-pronged approach in the enforcement against e-vaporisers. Our measures include pre-arrival risk assessment, ground profiling and detection, as well as working closely with other law enforcement agencies, such as HSA.

• ICA has also intensified checks at the air, land and sea checkpoints against the smuggling of e-vaporisers​as part of the heightened Whole-of-Government enforcement efforts.

• Etomidate e-vaporiser offenders who undergo and successfully complete their rehabilitation programmes will not hold a criminal record.

• There will be a criminal record if a person is prosecuted for etomidate-related offences.

• The Government recognises that many e-vaporiser users are young and may have picked up vaping unwittingly. They are in their formative years and need guidance to address their risks and needs. Rehabilitation is a key consideration in working with youths caught for e-vaporiser use. Therefore, youths may require a different approach compared to adults, as follows:

• E-vaporiser offenders, including first-time etomidate e-vaporiser offenders under 18 years of age will be issued a lower Notice of Composition (NOC) of $500, compared to the NOC for adults. This is to reflect the expectation of greater personal responsibility and accountability among adults compared to youths.

  1. Both adult and youth first-time and second-time etomidate e-vaporiser offenders will be required to attend rehabilitation. Offenders under 21 years of age will undergo a separate and more targeted programme under MSF’s Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme, which is tailored to their developmental stage and risk profile.

  2. For second-time etomidate e-vaporisers offenders under 21 years of age, the Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme will place additional emphasis on family involvement, with more sessions conducted together with their parents or caregivers. This reflects the crucial role families play as a support system in preventing relapse and sustaining long-term rehabilitation.

  3. Etomidate e-vaporiser offenders who are 16 years of age and older, caught for the third time and more, will be admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) for treatment and rehabilitation under MDA. They will undergo rehabilitation programmes in the DRC and subsequently undergo drug tests and supervision for 12 months.  Offenders under 16 years of age will not be sent to the DRC but instead, they will be placed under mandatory supervision for 12 months.

• MOE takes a firm stand against vaping. When students are caught using or in possession of e-vaporisers, the prohibited product will be confiscated and offenders are reported to HSA and issued Notice of Composition (NOC) (including first time under-18 offenders). Schools will also keep parents informed. 

• For students caught vaping, in addition to the penalty imposed by HSA, schools and IHLs will continue to mete out disciplinary measures through their respective disciplinary frameworks, which have been aligned with the stricter national posture against vaping. There are stipulated minimum baseline disciplinary measures for student offenders, and harsher measures for recalcitrant students and student e-vaporiser traffickers. Schools and IHLs may also implement stricter measures where warranted and have the autonomy to add other consequences based on their assessment of the case. 

• School-based disciplinary measures include detention, suspension, and/or caning for boys. IHL-based disciplinary measures may include issuance of a warning letter, withdrawal of privileges (e.g. leadership opportunities, overseas exchange, and/or scholarships), eviction from hostels (for autonomous universities), as well as possible suspension or dismissal for recalcitrant offenders.

• Schools and IHLs’ disciplinary measures are paired with counselling to help students learn the consequences of their inappropriate actions and poor choices and take responsibility for their decisions. Students in schools caught vaping for the first time will be counselled by school counsellors to make responsible decisions in addition to being referred to HPB's QuitLine for cessation counselling, when needed. Those who are recalcitrant or are caught vaping etomidate will also be required by HSA/CNB to attend rehabilitation and/or placed on mandatory supervision. 

• Beyond enforcement, our schools and IHLs will continue with preventive education to reinforce anti-vaping messages and educate students about the harmful effects of illegal substances that may be found in vapes. 

• Yes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that vapes are harmful to health and not safer than regular cigarettes.

• In fact, the nicotine consumed from 1 vape pod is equivalent to about 3 to 4 cigarette packs.

• Nicotine can cause harmful side effects, which include decreased appetite, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, nausea, and even diarrhoea in extreme cases. It can also impact brain development in young people, affecting their ability to manage attention and learning, mood and impulse control.

• Studies show that vaping generates toxic substances, some of which are known to cause cancer and increase the risk of heart and lung disorders. For example, Vitamin E acetate found in some vapes is strongly linked to lung injury, such as pneumothorax (collapsed lungs).

• Emissions can also pose risks to bystanders. Bystanders may experience irritation of the respiratory tract as a result of exposure to substances like propylene glycol and glycerol found in fine particulate matter. Breathing in particulate matter can result in increased risks of developing heart, lung, and other harmful diseases, worsening of existing illnesses, and shortened life expectancy

• Moreover, e-vaporisers are now being used as delivery vehicles for other harmful substances, as evidenced by the etomidate issue.

• You can find out more information to beat the mistruths of vaping here: Beat the Mistruths.

• Adverse effects of etomidate include serious psychiatric effects like suicidal behaviour, and other physical effects such as confusion, loss of consciousness, uncontrolled movements, and disruption of vital body functions, for example, irregular heart rhythms, abnormal blood pressure, breathing difficulties, and hormone imbalances that can be fatal in severe cases.

• 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.

• Rehabilitation for second-time e-vaporiser offenders will be a three-month programme, consisting of individual counselling sessions.

• Rehabilitation for first and second-time etomidate e-vaporiser offenders will range from three to six months-long, consisting of various types of individual and group counselling sessions, tailored to the clinical risk of the abuser.

• Third- and subsequent etomidate e-vaporiser offenders (aged 16 years and above) will be admitted to and detained at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) for rehabilitation and treatment. Rehabilitation programmes would include the Psychology-based Correctional Programme (PCP), family programmes, structured pro-social support programmes, and religious counselling.

• 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. 

• 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.