“Much stiffer” penalties will soon be imposed for vape offences.
Singapore will treat the vaping scourge as a “drug issue”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Source: Health Sciences Authority
PM Wong addressed the issue of vaping for the first time in a National Day Rally (NDR) speech on Sunday (17 Aug).
The PM held the rally speech at the Institute of Technical Education College headquarters in Ang Mo Kio.
PM Wong noted that people are still smuggling vapes into Singapore despite vaping being banned here.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore on YouTube
But the vapes themselves are just delivery devices — the real danger is what’s inside, with many vapes laced with addictive and harmful substances such as etomidate, he said, adding:
Right now, it’s etomidate. In future, it could be something worse – stronger or far more dangerous drugs.
So far, the Singapore authorities have treated vaping like tobacco — the possession, use, or buying of vapes currently carries a maximum fine of S$2,000.
But imposing a fine is now no longer enough, Mr Wong said, so Singapore will treat vaping as a drug issue.
Authorities will impose “much stiffer” penalties.
This includes jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances.
Source: Health Sciences Authority
The drive against vapes will be a “robust whole-of-government exercise” led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Health (MOH), Mr Wong said.
It will include stepped-up nationwide enforcement and a “major public education drive” starting in schools, institutes of higher learning and National Service.
Those addicted to vapes will receive supervision and rehabilitation to help them quit, he added:
The agencies have already started, and the ministries concerned will then share more details soon.
MOH and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) released a joint statement last Thursday (14 Aug).
The statement said about 65 cases are under investigation over the possession, sale or importation of etomidate-laced e-vaporisers, or ‘Kpods’.
Five more individuals were charged in court for the sale or importation of Kpods.
Another 18 individuals are facing charges in court over the sale, advertising or import of vapes, with another 100 under investigation for similar offences.
Etomidate will soon be classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The classification means Kpod users will be subject to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation.
Repeat offenders may face at least one year in prison.
Those caught selling, distributing or importing these devices face more severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and caning.
Also read: HSA posts job listing for Kpod investigators, receives more than 100 applications
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Featured image adapted from Health Sciences Authority and Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore on YouTube.