Singapore’s War On E-Cigarettes: Nearly 18,000 Arrests In 15 Months Reveal The Severity Of Vaping Crackdown

Singapore has long been known for its zero-tolerance stance on drugs and tobacco, but its crackdown on vape and E-cigarette use has recently reached unprecedented levels. In a stunning revelation on May 16, 2025, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) jointly reported that nearly 18,000 people were arrested for possessing or using E-cigarettes between January 2024 and March 2025.

This statistic paints a clear picture of the island nation’s uncompromising position on vapor products. As the global vaping market grows—particularly the demand for Fruit Flavored Vape devices—Singapore is doubling down on enforcement to ensure these products do not take root in the city-state.

A Landmark in Vaping Enforcement

According to an official press release from the HSA, authorities have intensified inspections at airports, land checkpoints, and sea ports, screening more than 20,800 travelers in the 15-month period. The crackdown led to the seizure of over SGD $41 million (approx. USD $30 million) worth of vape devices, E-cigarette cartridges, and vapor accessories.

Additionally, the HSA conducted 50 operations targeting large-scale E-cigarette smuggling networks and brought charges against 27 individuals for repeated violations or non-payment of fines.

What Makes Singapore’s Vape Ban So Strict?

Unlike many countries that allow regulated E-cigarette usage, Singapore imposes a full ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of any vapor or vape-related products, including Fruit Flavored Vape pods. This prohibition is codified under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, which carries severe penalties:

Offense	Maximum Penalty
Possession or use of a vape product	SGD $2,000 fine
Import, sale, or distribution	SGD $10,000 fine, 6 months’ imprisonment, or both (first offense)
Repeat offenses	SGD $20,000, 12 months’ jail, or both

This puts Singapore among the world’s strictest countries regarding E-cigarette control, alongside places like Thailand and India.

Heavy Sentences for Offenders

Among the most notable cases:

Ivan Sin and Toh Wee Leong, two individuals connected to a vaping syndicate worth over SGD $5 million, were sentenced to 10 months in prison each and fined SGD $16,000 and SGD $14,000, respectively.
In a separate ongoing investigation, another smuggling kingpin—linked to a SGD $6.5 million case—was arrested in October 2024.

According to the HSA, these represent the harshest sentences ever imposed for vape-related crimes in Singapore, signaling the government’s intention to escalate legal consequences in proportion to the scale of the offense.

Online Crackdown: Social Media & E-commerce Platforms Targeted

In addition to physical enforcement, Singaporean authorities have taken aim at the digital ecosystem that enables vape marketing and sales. Over the 15-month period, HSA collaborated with local platforms to remove more than 6,800 online vape listings. These included posts from:

Shopee
Lazada
Carousell
TikTok
Instagram

Moreover, 15 individuals were fined for posting photos or videos of E-cigarettes on social media—an act that is illegal under Singaporean law, even if no sale is involved.

The Health Sciences Authority emphasized the influence of online content in promoting Fruit Flavored Vape products to youth, especially through influencers and peer-sharing.

Why Is Singapore So Aggressive About Vaping?

Singapore’s Health Ministry has consistently cited public health data and youth addiction concerns as drivers for its no-vape policy. The government references evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has repeatedly cautioned against E-cigarette use due to the potential risks of nicotine addiction, lung damage, and gateway behavior leading to traditional smoking.

A 2023 study from the WHO revealed that Fruit Flavored Vape products are particularly attractive to teenagers and non-smokers. Countries without flavor bans report higher youth uptake of vape devices.

“E-cigarettes are harmful to health and are not safe. The evidence is clear,” states the WHO. “Use of these products can lead to lifelong nicotine addiction and increase the risk of chronic disease.”

Public Reaction: Support and Skepticism

Public opinion on the crackdown is mixed. While many Singaporeans support strict regulations to protect youth from addictive substances, others have criticized the harsh penalties for personal possession of vapor products.

An anonymous smoker told The Straits Times:

“I bought a Fruit Flavored Vape while traveling abroad. It’s less harmful than cigarettes, but now I face a $2,000 fine just for having it in my bag. It feels extreme.”

Nonetheless, health experts and policymakers remain firm in their stance. Dr. Raymond Lim from the National University Health System stated:

“Singapore’s approach may seem tough, but it’s preventive. Once a generation gets hooked on E-cigarettes, reversing the trend becomes a public health nightmare.”

International Comparison: Vaping Laws Worldwide

Country	Vape Regulation	Flavored Vape Policy
Singapore	Total ban	Banned
USA	Legal with FDA oversight	Flavors banned in closed systems
UK	Legal, promoted as harm reduction	Flavors allowed
Thailand	Total ban	Banned
China	Legal but regulated	Flavors limited

Singapore’s all-encompassing ban on vape and E-cigarette products puts it in a category of its own, even among countries with strong anti-smoking policies.

Compliance Tips for Global Vape Sellers

For foreign sellers targeting Asian markets, Singapore’s enforcement illustrates the need for due diligence. Even inadvertent shipments of vapor products to Singapore can result in:

Seizure of goods
Blacklisting by customs authorities
Legal action

Key tips:

Do not ship to Singapore if you sell E-cigarettes or Fruit Flavored Vape products.
Use geoblocking to restrict access from Singapore on your e-commerce platform.
Include disclaimers clearly stating where your vape products can be legally shipped.
Educate your logistics partners about legal restrictions by destination.

The Future of Vaping in Singapore

There is currently no indication that Singapore will relax its stance on E-cigarettes. If anything, enforcement is intensifying. In early 2025, the MOH announced plans to increase surveillance using AI to detect vape-related content online and expand training for customs officers to recognize new smuggling techniques.

At the same time, educational campaigns in schools and universities are being rolled out to warn students about the health and legal consequences of vape use.

Conclusion

Singapore’s crackdown on vapor and E-cigarette use is not just symbolic—it’s strategic, expansive, and deeply rooted in public health protection. With nearly 18,000 arrests, over SGD $41 million in product seizures, and mounting criminal penalties, the city-state is setting a global precedent for aggressive anti-vaping enforcement.

For consumers, businesses, and international sellers, the message is clear: Vaping in Singapore isn’t just illegal—it’s a criminal offense with real consequences. As the global Fruit Flavored Vape market continues to evolve, industry players must remain vigilant, informed, and compliant with local regulations—or risk the fallout of noncompliance.