Clubgoers Continue to Vape Despite Tight Security and News of Tougher Penalties

Vapers appear to be more discreet, with some spotted in back alleys near clubs

- Claudia Tan and Andrew Wong

Security around clubs and bars has been tightened, but vaping has persisted despite heightened enforcement action by the authorities, including the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

Some young clubgoers were spotted sneaking puffs inside and around popular clubs Zouk, Drip, and Marquee Singapore at Marina Bay Sands, as well as in Prinsep Street, a popular nightlife area.

The Sunday Times visited the entertainment outlets on Aug 22, Aug 23, and again on Aug 29, the day after the Government announced tougher measures to deal with vaping, including the use of vapes laced with the anesthetic etomidate.

Vapers appeared to be more discreet. In Prinsep Street, they gathered in the back alleys to use their devices.

ST first visited the area and the two clubs in July and found patrons vaping openly inside the premises and outside the bars.

Since then, the clubs have put up more signs warning against vaping inside and around the premises. ST found that security staff were more thorough with bag checks.

Despite the monitoring, a man in his 20s managed to sneak in a vape and was spotted using it at Zouk's smoking corner at 1 a.m. on Aug 30.

Mr David Long, senior director of operations at Zouk, told ST: "We will continue to take guidance from the authorities and follow their enforcement guidelines."