Number of front-line officers tackling vaping crisis doubles to 10,000

HSA detects nearly 10,000 cases in first eight months of the year

- Andrew Wong Correspondent

Checks for vapes being conducted in Tampines by the Health Sciences Authority. With more enforcement officers, agencies have been conducting joint raids at night spots and institutes of higher learning, says Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.

(PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO)

More than 10,000 officers have been empowered to act against vape-related offences, doubling the number of front-line officers within a month.

Meanwhile, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has detected nearly 10,000 vaping cases within the first eight months of 2025, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.

These include 70 cases linked to the possession and use of etomidate-laced vapes, or Kpods, and 38 cases involving vape suppliers, he said.

Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, was responding to multiple questions posed to him by 16 MPs in Parliament on Sept 22.

On Sept 8, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said HSA had authorised more than 5,000 front-line officers to take action against vape-related offences.

Just two weeks later, that number doubled to more than 10,000 officers.

On Sept 22, Mr Ong said that with more enforcement officers, agencies have been conducting joint raids at night spots and institutes of higher learning.

He said the stronger measures announced on Aug 28 were because vapes had changed the landscape of substance abuse.