18 arrested in HSA ops at Raffles Place and Haji Lane: Most vapers were 'caught by surprise'
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
The Straits Times
Aug 20, 2025
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has seized 82 e-vaporisers, including 62 heatsticks, in anti-vaping operations conducted in Raffles Place and Haji Lane.
The two-day sting, which started on Aug 19, saw 18 persons between the ages of 24 and 48 nabbed for vape-related offences.
Those caught vaping will face a maximum fine of $2,000.
The sting is the latest in Singapore as the authorities turn up the pressure on vapers.
The Straits Times had tagged along with one of the HSA teams on patrol.
Most of the vapers were caught by surprise when the HSA officers identified themselves to the offenders.
One offender even thought that vaping discreetly at an outdoor section of an eatery at Boat Quay would shield him from unwanted attention.
He was caught when the white aerosol exhaled from his vape gave him away.
Despite being banned since 2018, the number of vapes seized and those caught vaping has continued to rise.
Numbers compiled by The Straits Times showed HSA had seized $41 million worth of vapes and their components from January 2024 to March 2025, which is nearly fivefold the reported value seized from 2019 to end-2023.
More than 17,900 persons were caught for the possession and use of e-vaporisers from January 2024 to March 2025.
In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Government will take much tougher action against vaping with stiffer penalties to be imposed.
He said vaping will be treated as a drug issue.
"Many of these vapes are laced with addictive and harmful substances like etomidate. So, the vapes themselves are just the delivery devices. The real danger is what is inside.
"Right now, it is etomidate. In future, it could be something worse - stronger or far more dangerous drugs," added PM Wong.
The move comes amid concerns over the prevalence of Kpods in vapes seized in Singapore.
Kpods are vapes laced with synthetic drugs, such as etomidate, ketamine and methamphetamines.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had announced on July 20 the intention to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), after one in three vapes recently seized here was found to contain the pharmaceutical drug.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to list etomidate under the MDA as an interim measure while the Ministry of Health (MOH) continues to study further legislative action.
This paves the way for Kpod abusers and traffickers to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs, with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.
MOH and HSA had said on Aug 14 that more than 100 people were under investigation for offences involving vapes.
In a recent enforcement operation on Aug 15, the authorities seized more than 280 e-vaporisers in raids at pubs, bars and KTV lounges islandwide.
In all, more than 640 people were checked by officers from the Singapore Police Force, the HSA and other agencies, including the Central Narcotics Bureau.
HSA said that of the 640 people checked during raids, 115 people aged 17 to 61 were caught for vape-related offences.
They included five who were caught with suspected etomidate vapes, or Kpods.
Meanwhile, HSA said it is working with Hong Kong's Department of Health to tackle vaping by exchanging information and expertise with each other.
HSA has also advertised job openings for investigators specifically to crack down on Kpods and more than 800 people have sent in applications.
Members of the public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, or online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
Those who need help to quit vaping can join the Health Promotion Board's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000.
The authorities have said those who voluntarily seek support to quit vaping will not face any penalties for doing so.
