Young partygoers continue to vape in clubs despite bag checks and warnings

ST sees patrons on dance floor sneaking puffs, producing smoke with distinct aromas

- Claudia Tan

It was a Friday, and a snaking queue of young people had formed outside Drip Singapore in Orchard Road.

At the entrance, a prominent sign made it clear—no vaping is allowed on the premises. After paying the cover charge, which can cost up to $30 each, partygoers were allowed in.

Despite bag checks, The Sunday Times saw patrons sneaking puffs on the dance floor and sending out plumes of smoke with distinctive aromas.

They had managed to conceal their e-vaporisers, which have been banned in Singapore since 2018.

ST visited Drip Singapore, which is located in Concorde Shopping Mall, on July 16 and 18.

Despite the larger crowd on a Friday at Singapore's largest underground club, patrons did not appear to be bothered by the vaping activity around them.

ST saw a man in his 20s using his phone to take photographs of partygoers as he casually puffed on his vape.

Caleb (not his real name) said some partygoers take it outside, where they vape at designated smoking areas.

"(The bouncers) don't really look into our bags.

"They usually poke a stick in or shine a torchlight inside our bags to make sure we are not bringing drinks in, and they just wave us through," said Caleb, who clubs regularly at Drip Singapore and Zouk.

But some e-vaporisers are small enough to be hidden, and they can also be made to look like everyday items. In Malaysia, the authorities have seized vapes made to look like a tube of glue or a stationery highlighter.

A spokesperson for the building management at Concorde Hotel and Shopping Mall told ST that it strictly adheres to the Government's rules on vaping and smoking.

The same scene played out at Zouk, a club in Clarke Quay, despite clear signs at the entrance warning against smoking and vaping. Three people were spotted vaping outside the club on July 18.