Vaping to be treated as drug issue; much stiffer penalties to be imposed

Jail, more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances

- Nadine Chua

The Government will take much tougher action against vaping and treat it as a drug issue with stiffer penalties to be imposed, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

In his National Day Rally speech on Aug 17, PM Wong said every generation worries about negative influences impacting their young people.

He said new risks will emerge, and vaping is a serious concern.

Addressing the vaping scourge for the first time, PM Wong said vaping is banned here, but people are still smuggling vapes in and finding ways to get around the law.

He added: "Many of these vapes are laced with addictive and harmful substances like etomidate. So, the vapes themselves are just the delivery devices. The real danger is what is inside.

"Right now, it is etomidate. In future, it could be something worse — stronger or far more dangerous drugs."

PM Wong said much tougher action will be taken against vaping.

Vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, and under current laws, possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000.

But PM Wong said imposing a fine is no longer enough.

"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 said.

PM Wong said supervision and rehabilitation will be given to those addicted to vapes to help them quit.