Singapore is set to intensify its battle against vaping, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announcing stringent measures to treat the issue as a drug-related concern, complete with harsher penalties and comprehensive public education campaigns. In his National Day Rally speech on August 17, 2025, PM Wong underscored the growing threat vaping poses to the nation’s youth, signaling a significant shift in policy to curb its spread.
A Growing Threat to Youth
In his address, PM Wong highlighted the pervasive anxiety every generation faces regarding harmful influences on young people. Among the emerging risks, vaping stands out as a particularly insidious challenge. Despite being banned in Singapore since 2018, enforcement has struggled to keep pace with individuals smuggling vapes and circumventing regulations. “Many of these vapes are laced with addictive and harmful substances like etomidate,” PM Wong stated on August 17, 2025. “The vapes themselves are just the delivery devices. The real danger is what is inside.”
He warned that while etomidate—a substance typically used in medical procedures—is the current concern, future iterations could involve even more dangerous drugs. Etomidate, when inhaled through vaping, can directly affect the lungs, potentially causing spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures, and even psychosis, according to health authorities. This alarming health risk has prompted the government to rethink its approach, moving beyond mere fines to a more punitive and rehabilitative framework. 
From Fines to Jail: A Policy Shift
Under existing laws, possessing, using, or purchasing vapes in Singapore carries a maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore Dollars (~US$1,500). However, PM Wong emphasized that financial penalties are insufficient to deter the behavior. “We will treat this as a drug issue, and impose much stiffer penalties. That means jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances” he declared on August 17, 2025.
This policy shift includes reclassifying etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act, a move that would align vaping-related offenses with drug abuse and trafficking penalties. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed on July 20, 2025, that authorities are working toward this reclassification as an interim measure while the Ministry of Health (MOH) explores further legislative actions. Once enacted, this would mean mandatory rehabilitation and potential jail time for repeat offenders involved with vapes laced with etomidate, often referred to as Kpods.
Currently listed under the Poisons Act, etomidate-related offenses result only in fines. The upcoming changes aim to close this gap, ensuring abusers and traffickers face consequences akin to those dealing with controlled substances. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is expected to finalize this interim reclassification soon, paving the way for a more robust legal framework.
Enforcement and Rehabilitation Efforts
PM Wong outlined a multi-pronged strategy to tackle vaping, emphasizing not just punishment but also support for those struggling with addiction. “We will step up nationwide enforcement. And we will mount a major public education drive—starting in schools and the institutes of higher learning, and also during national service” he said on August 17, 2025. Supervision and rehabilitation programs will be offered to help addicts quit, with assurances from authorities that those voluntarily seeking support will not face penalties.
The MHA and MOH will spearhead these efforts, supported by a whole-of-government approach. PM Wong noted that agencies have already begun implementing measures, with further details to be announced by the relevant ministries. On July 30, 2025, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam announced that MHA officers would be seconded to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to assist with enforcement, supervision, treatment, and rehabilitation of abusers.
Additionally, HSA has taken proactive steps to bolster its capacity. On August 13, 2025, the agency advertised job openings for investigators specifically tasked with cracking down on Kpods, receiving over 800 applications. That same day, HSA also confirmed a collaboration with Hong Kong’s Department of Health to exchange information and expertise on tackling vaping. By August 14, 2025, MOH and HSA reported that more than 100 individuals were under investigation for vaping-related offenses, signaling a ramp-up in enforcement actions.
Public Education and Community Response
A key pillar of Singapore’s anti-vaping strategy is a comprehensive public education campaign, particularly targeting youth in schools and tertiary institutions. Vikram Nair, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Law and a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, endorsed this focus. “I think it is clear that vaping has picked up in and around tertiary institutes, and the youth is an important segment as they are more easily impressionable” he told local media on August 17, 2025. Drawing a parallel to past public health campaigns, Nair added, “I remembered the anti-glue-sniffing campaign when I was in school, so I guess this is this generation’s glue-sniffing.”
Nair also expressed support for reclassifying etomidate as a drug, noting that it would equip the government with stronger tools to address the issue. A meeting with GPC members is scheduled for the week following the National Day Rally, ahead of Parliament’s session in September 2025, with vaping high on the agenda for discussion.
The public, too, has avenues to contribute to this crackdown. The Tobacco Regulation Branch has provided contact numbers (6684-2036 or 6684-2037, available from 9 am to 9 pm daily) and an online reporting platform (www.go.gov.sg/reportvape) for citizens to report vaping offenses. For those seeking help to quit, the Health Promotion Board’s I Quit program offers support through its QuitLine at 1800-438-2000.
Context of a Broader Campaign
PM Wong’s remarks come on the heels of heightened government action and public awareness initiatives. On July 13, 2025, a major local newspaper launched an anti-vaping campaign titled Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, drawing attention to the health and social risks associated with the practice. This public discourse has likely contributed to the urgency with which the government is now addressing the issue.
The past month has seen a series of escalating measures. Beyond legislative changes and enforcement drives, the collaboration with international partners like Hong Kong’s Department of Health reflects Singapore’s recognition that vaping is not merely a domestic issue but part of a broader regional and global challenge. The exchange of expertise and information aims to strengthen detection and prevention strategies, ensuring that Singapore remains at the forefront of public health protection.
Analysis: Balancing Punishment and Prevention
Singapore’s evolving stance on vaping reflects a delicate balance between punitive measures and preventive strategies. By treating vaping as a drug issue, the government signals a zero-tolerance approach to substances that endanger public health, particularly among impressionable demographics like students and young adults. The inclusion of jail sentences and severe punishments for sellers of harmful vapes underscores the seriousness with which authorities view the problem, potentially deterring both supply and demand.
Yet, the emphasis on rehabilitation and education suggests an understanding that punishment alone cannot eradicate addiction. Offering support without penalties for those who seek help is a progressive step, aligning with global best practices in public health that prioritize harm reduction alongside enforcement. This dual approach could serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar issues, particularly in Southeast Asia, where vaping and other substance abuse trends often cross borders through illicit trade networks.
However, the success of these measures will hinge on effective implementation. Nationwide enforcement requires significant resources, coordination, and public cooperation—elements that are not guaranteed in the face of sophisticated smuggling operations. Moreover, while reclassifying etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act addresses current concerns, PM Wong’s warning about future, more dangerous substances points to the need for agile and forward-thinking legislation. The government will need to remain vigilant, adapting to new threats as they emerge.
Regional Implications and Public Health
Singapore’s crackdown on vaping also carries implications for the broader region. As a hub for trade and travel, the city-state often sets precedents that influence neighboring countries’ policies. Its collaboration with Hong Kong is a step toward regional cooperation, but the challenge of cross-border smuggling remains. Vapes and harmful substances like etomidate are frequently trafficked through porous borders in Southeast Asia, where enforcement capacities vary widely. Singapore’s tougher stance may push traffickers to target less regulated markets, potentially exacerbating the problem elsewhere if not matched by coordinated regional efforts.
From a public health perspective, the focus on education in schools and during national service is a strategic move. These environments are where peer influence often drives vaping uptake among youth. By embedding anti-vaping messages into formative experiences, Singapore aims to build long-term cultural resistance to the habit, much like it did with past campaigns against glue-sniffing and smoking. Whether this generation will respond similarly remains to be seen, given the allure of vaping as a socially normalized and technologically sleek alternative to traditional substances.
As Singapore rolls out these tougher measures, the impact on both public health and legal enforcement will be closely watched. The shift to treat vaping as a drug issue marks a significant escalation, but it also raises questions about how far punitive measures can go in addressing what is, at its core, a behavioral and social challenge. For now, the government’s commitment to both crackdown and care offers a comprehensive starting point, with the promise of more details to come from the ministries involved.
