From April to June 2024, Singapore’s intensified efforts against e-vaporisers resulted in over 2,530 individuals being caught for possession and use, a 30% increase from the previous quarter.
Enforcement involved multiple agencies targeting community locations, schools, and online platforms, leading to significant seizures and convictions. Public education on the harms of vaping and cessation support continues alongside stringent legal penalties.
According to Health Science Authority (HSA), from 1 April to 30 June 2024, approximately 2,530 individuals were apprehended for the possession and use of e-vaporisers, representing a 30% increase compared to about 1,950 cases in the previous quarter.
From 1 January to 31 March 2024, about 1,950 persons were caught.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has partnered with various agencies, including the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Health Promotion Board (HPB), to combat vaping, especially among youth.
The initiative specifically targets hotspots across the island, including the central business district, entertainment venues, and shopping centers to thwart what is seen as a growing public health concern, according to HSA.
E-vaporisers confiscated on July 29, 2024, during enforcement operations at Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar, Suntec City, Kampong Glam, and Chinatown.
690 STUDENTS FINED
On 29 July 2024, HSA conducted enforcement operations in areas such as Raffles Place and Chinatown, resulting in the immediate apprehension of 57 individuals, with e-vaporisers seized on the spot.
The individuals were caught and fined on the spot and 57 e-vaporisers were seized, HSA said in its release.
Between April 1 and June 30, 2024, discipline personnel at schools and institutes of higher learning conducted proactive checks and campus patrols, resulting in approximately 690 students being referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and fined for using or possessing e-vaporisers.
“Enforcement operations conducted in the vicinity of IHLs during the same period caught around 40 individuals in similar acts”, HSA added.
CHECKPOINTS
Joint operations between HSA and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) scrutinized over 5,000 travelers at key checkpoints, resulting in 19 individuals found in possession of prohibited vaping products.
Those caught bringing e-vaporisers into Singapore face hefty fines.
As per the HSA release, enforcement measures extended beyond individual users to suppliers of e-vaporisers.
In recent months, HSA has executed targeted raids, resulting in significant seizures.
On 24 April, the agency confiscated over $5 million worth of e-vaporisers from a warehouse, leading to the conviction of two Thai nationals.
Further raids from June 14-18 netted over 350,000 e-vaporisers valued at more than $6 million, while operations on 8 July dismantled a distribution network that was ready to deliver over 17,000 e-vaporisers through encrypted messaging platforms.
From April to June 2024, six individuals were convicted for selling e-vaporisers, collectively fined over $51,000 in total.
Convictions for Illegal Sale of Evaporisers (April to June 2024)
- Toh Wei Jie
- Date of Conviction: 2/4/2024
- Court Action: Fine of $25,000
- Sim Jian Hao
- Date of Conviction: 23/5/2024
- Court Action: Fine of $12,000
- Liong Chee Onn
- Date of Conviction: 6/6/2024
- Court Action: Fine of $4,000
- Chan Guo Rong
- Date of Conviction: 10/6/2024
- Court Action: Fine of $3,000
- Goh Bee Ying
- Date of Conviction: 10/6/2024
- Court Action: Fine of $1,500
- Goh Xiao Juan
- Date of Conviction: 10/6/2024
- Court Action: Fine of $6,000
‘Vape is a toxic friend you don’t need’
In tandem with strict enforcement, HPB is focusing on education to raise public awareness about the dangers of vaping. Campaigns such as “Vape is a toxic friend you don’t need” have made inroads into schools, reaching over 33,000 students in just one quarter.
Additionally, HPB provides cessation support for those seeking to quit vaping, with nearly 400 youths receiving counseling from April to June 2024. Initial reports indicate that around 50% of these individuals succeeded in reducing or quitting their vaping habits within a month.
The government has reiterated that the possession, use, or purchase of e-vaporisers carries serious legal consequences, with maximum fines of $2,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for sellers upon conviction. Personal information regarding prohibited tobacco products is readily available through the HSA website, where citizens can find resources for quitting via the I Quit program.
Images via Health Sciences Authority
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