Singapore (Commonwealth Union)_ Singapore is all set to tighten its law against vaping. Accordingly, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced plans to view the habit more like drug use rather than tobacco use. The move signals a sharp shift in national policy, aiming to challenge what the government sees as a growing threat to public health, especially among the country’s youth. In his National Day Rally speech on August 17, PM Wong described vaping as an emerging danger and noted that the current approach, which treats it as a tobacco-related offense, is no longer sufficient. “Until now, we’ve imposed fines and treated vaping like smoking, but that’s not enough anymore,” he said. “We will now approach it as a drug problem, with stronger penalties, including potential jail time for serious offenders.”
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The announcement comes as health authorities raise alarms over a disturbing trend: some vape devices confiscated in Singapore are being found with harmful drugs added to the liquid. In particular, about one-third of vapes tested in recent inspections were found to contain etomidate, which is a powerful anesthetic typically used in hospitals to sedate patients. Misusing the medicine can result in hallucinations, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, and long-term organ damage. Singapore is currently planning to include etomidate as a restricted drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Once that happens, anyone found using vapes that contain this drug may face penalties similar to those for using illicit drugs like heroin or cocaine.
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The concern goes beyond just nicotine addiction. “The real danger lies in what’s being put inside these devices,” Wong warned. “Vaping is no longer just about smoking alternatives; it’s becoming a new way to deliver more dangerous substances into the body.” Although vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, enforcement agencies report that illegal use continues to rise. From January 2024 to March 2025, around 17,900 persons were apprehended for using vaping devices. Authorities also recovered more than $41 million in illegal vaping items, more than five times the total amount collected in the previous five years combined.
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This trend has compelled the government not only to step up enforcement but also to launch a broader public health campaign. Accordingly, Singapore will begin a nationwide awareness campaign in partnership with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Health, aimed at students, young people in higher education, and those serving in the National Service. The campaign will attempt to educate the public on the true hazards of vaping, such as the possibility of drug addiction and long-term health consequences.
Additionally, Singapore will increase rehabilitation programs for people who use vapes, especially those addicted to chemicals like etomidate. According to Wong, the plan is to combine stricter rules with support programs that help users quit for a healthier lifestyle. Singapore is also joining more countries that are taking a strong stand against vaping. Vietnam and the Maldives have recently enforced total bans. India, New Zealand, Brazil, and Malaysia have imposed strict limits on the sale and use of vape products.
Medical specialists have warned that the threat is serious. Vaping, once promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, has become a more complex and dangerous activity. Since vape liquids can be mixed with harmful drugs, authorities need to view them as potential drug delivery devices, not just nicotine products. With recent legal changes, Singapore has taken a leading role in the global effort against vaping and its risks. The government thinks that calling some vape products illegal drugs and launching educational programs will keep the country’s youth safe from long-term harm. It also aims to prevent vaping from becoming socially accepted.
