Romanian and S. Korean women caught with heat sticks, vapes at airport in separate cases
Ian Cheng
The Straits Times
Sept 10, 2025
Enhanced checks by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled two attempts at Changi Airport Terminal 4 to bring in vapes and heat sticks on Sept 6.
The two cases have been referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation.
In the first case, ICA officers suspected that a female Romanian traveller was carrying a prohibited item into Singapore at 1.45pm, and directed her for enhanced checks.
They then found her to be possessing almost 1,200 heat sticks and two e-vaporisers, ICA said in a Facebook post on Sept 6.
Heat sticks are electronic devices that heat tobacco without burning it to release a nicotine-containing aerosol, and are touted as a smoke-free alternative to smoking.
In the second case, at 11.55pm, a female South Korean work permit holder was also directed for further checks.
When asked if she had any items to declare, including e-vaporisers, she told ICA officers she did not.
However, almost 1,200 heat sticks and two e-vaporisers were found during a check on her belongings.
Singapore is taking a whole-of-government approach to tackling vaping, which is now considered a drug issue.
Since Sept 1, anybody caught possessing, using or buying vapes will face higher penalties. Recalcitrant users may be required to undergo rehabilitation.
Vape users will face increased fines of $500 for those under 18 and $700 for adults, up from $300 and $500, respectively.
Long-term pass holders who reoffend may also have their passes revoked on a third offence, and be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.
The authorities caught 232 people for vape-related offences between Sept 1 and 7.
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