Singapore is poised to significantly escalate its crackdown on vaping with proposed legislation that would raise fines for users to as much as S$10,000, according to a Bill introduced in Parliament on February 12th. The proposed changes, outlined in the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill, also include substantially increased penalties for sellers and smugglers of vaping products.
Currently, individuals caught possessing or using vapes in Singapore face a maximum fine of S$2,000. The fresh Bill would increase this fivefold. Sellers could be fined up to S$200,000 and face up to six years in jail, while smugglers could be fined up to S$300,000 and sentenced to nine years imprisonment. The legislation also proposes renaming the existing Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act.
The move comes after a government announcement in August 2025 signaling tougher measures against vaping. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated at the time that the government would treat vaping as a drug issue, necessitating stricter penalties. The proposed legislation reflects that commitment and addresses the growing concern surrounding the emergence of psychoactive substances found in some vaping products.
A key focus of the new Bill is the control of etomidate, an anesthetic agent increasingly appearing in vapes sold as “Kpods.” Etomidate was temporarily classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act on September 1, 2025, due to a surge in its leverage among young people. This temporary listing, extended until April 30, 2026, currently carries penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and a S$20,000 fine for possession or use, and up to 20 years imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane for trafficking or smuggling. The Bill aims to codify these penalties and extend them to Singaporeans and permanent residents even if the offenses occur abroad.
Authorities have expressed concern over the health risks associated with etomidate, which can cause spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures, and psychosis when vaped. Previously classified under the Poisons Act, Kpods carried a maximum penalty of only two years’ jail and a S$10,000 fine for possession, use, or trafficking.
According to official statistics, more than 3,500 people were caught for possession and use of vapes in the last four months of 2025, with 366 of those cases involving Kpods. The Ministry of Health is finalizing the legislative amendments and plans to table the Bill in Parliament within the first half of 2026, according to a parliamentary question answered on February 4, 2026.
The proposed legislation also introduces a new definition of “specified psychoactive substances,” broadening the scope of the Act to allow for the treatment and rehabilitation of abusers. The Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament at a later date, with the outcome potentially reshaping Singapore’s approach to vaping and illicit drug control.
