Hundreds of officers from police, CNB, MOM, other agencies helping HSA tackle vaping scourge

Several hundred officers from the police and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) are supporting the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in its anti-vape operations, which includes targeting syndicates.

- David Sun

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has also stepped up enforcement at the checkpoints, and almost 700 officers from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be empowered to take action against vape users.

These numbers show the amount of resources the Government is willing to commit to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore.

On Aug 28, at a press conference on the Government's latest vaping measures, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said: "Officers from other agencies, regardless of which agency, when they find people using vapes, they will be empowered to take action, take enforcement.

"That's the broad posture."

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said a small number of some of their 700 empowered officers will be seconded to HSA for this.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who was also at the conference, said other agencies joining the fight include the National Environment Agency, National Parks Board and the Gambling Regulatory Authority, as well as public transport companies.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said it fully supports the Government's efforts to tackle vaping and has stepped up enforcement checks.

He said the military's penalty framework is also being stepped up from Sept 1. Penalties range from fines to detention at the detention barracks for personnel caught with vapes or Kpods. Regulars can be discharged from service.