Under Singapore law, the act of vaping is illegal in Singapore. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, all forms of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes and vape devices are prohibited. The product has been banned & around it does not just mean the sale of vape products, but also crimes the importation, distribution and the use of this devices. For the first offence, offenders caught importing vape products can be fined a maximum of SGD 10,000 or jailed up to six months. SGD 20,000 or a fine up to one year in prison for repeat offenders. These stiff penalties are reflective of the Singaporean stand in maintaining a tobacco-free society.
The ban takes its leave from products that contain nicotine and goes far enough as to classifying disposable vapes, plus any non-nicotine e-liquid even totally unrelated to Juul brand. Singaporeans caught vaping can be fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,473) and any importation of the e-cigs here is a complete no-no as well.Although world-wide this alternative form of smoking is riding high on being adopted as a possible tool to wean off cigarette addiction–or even so in place where cigarettes are not consumed – Singapore’s Ministry of Health views it broadly as “smoking with lesser-known harms” and likely acts as a entry level drug to nicotine, particularly for young folks. It is a trend that has been globally observed: Singapore has low youth up-take rates of vaping because it regulates vaping strictly, according to a report released in 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It also sits more broadly within Singapore's health approach, as the country has a strong history in tobacco control and reducing smoking rates.
Other public awareness campaigns have also highlighted the dangers of vaping. A 2022 survey carried out by the Health Promotion Board in Singapore also found that over 82% of respondents were aware that vaping was illegal and knew about negative health consequences such as lung damage and addiction to nicotine. This shows the government’s steps taken to control vaping consumption have been effective in terms of creating public awareness on this important issue.
Even as vaping continues to grow in popularity around the world, Singapore maintains a bold legal stance against vaping. Ong Ye Kung, the Health Minister said,” The evidence at hand is pointing in one direction: Vaping brings more harm than good – particularly to our young people. The stance highlights the resolve of the authorities to keep vaping away from Singapore, and its perception that the public's health should be defended alongside a warning many vapes include nicotine and are addictive.
The debate over vaping regulations differs abroad. Different countries have taken different ways to regulate vaping — in the UK, for example, Public Health England supports it as a less harmful alternative to smoking. Nevertheless, Singapore has erred on the side of caution due to ambiguities regarding vaping's long-term health consequences and a dearth of concrete proof that it is an adequate smoking substitute.
How Vaping is Illegal in Singapore It should be noted that all activities related to vape products, from buying to smuggling, are criminal activities. More detailed information is available at Vape in Singapore.