The Singapore Government has begun making moves to vanquish vaping through stricter law enforcement, including checks at Changi Airport for people coming into the country.
Starting yesterday, anti-vaping measures have been stepped up for both local offenders and foreign visitors in Singapore. Vape pens or “electronic cigarettes”, which use a heated liquid instead of burning tobacco, are illegal in Singapore, but people still buy them online and also bring them packed into their luggage.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Singapore is spearheading the new anti-vaping drive, in collaboration with other agencies, such as the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA). Inter-agency operations at land, air, and sea checkpoints of Singapore are also seeing heightened security measures against vape pens.
Simultaneously, the government is removing e-cigarette advertisements and spreading information among the public through various communication channels, including social media.
With this co-ordinated approach to vaping, the health ministry hopes to prevent the Singapore population from getting addicted to vaping.
Penalties in Singapore for vaping
Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act in Singapore, the possession, use, or purchase of vape pens (also called e-vaporisers) carries a fine up to SGD 2,000.
Singapore law makes it an offence to import, distribute, sell, or offer the sale of e-vaporisers and their components. A conviction means a fine up to SGD 10,000 or jail for up to 6 months or both for the first offence; and a fine up to SGD 20,000 or jail for up to 12 months or both for a repeat offence.
Screening at Changi International Airport
Be it a Singaporean or an overseas visitor, no one can bring e-cigarettes into the country through Changi International Airport.
Travellers who are found — through a screening at Changi arrival halls — to be in possession of vape pens or related components will be fined. However, there is leniency for travellers who voluntarily declare these items and hand them over.
The authorities said that people carrying vape pens or other vaping products should pass through the Red Channel, declare the illegal (in Singapore) items, and surrender them to the checkpoint officers. The confiscated vaping products would then be disposed of in bins. These travellers would not be penalised.
Travellers who are carrying vaping products, and trying to pass through the Green Channel without declaring them, could be screened and caught by the ICA. When that happens, they would be punished as per the provisions of Singapore law. “The ICA will also continue to conduct security checks and work with relevant authorities to detect and deter smuggling attempts,” said the MoH.
Removal of vaping advertisements
As part of the multi-agency strategy, the MoH and the HAS are working with the Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Together, they are devising more effective ways to track down and remove online advertisements for e-cigarettes.
Also part of the anti-vaping campaign are the Singapore Ministry of Education (MoE), the National Environment Agency (NEA), the National Parks Board (NParks), and the Singapore Police Force.
Security checks to catch people vaping are being increased in places frequented by the public, including bars and clubs.
Action against students for vaping
Students in Singapore caught vaping will have their products confiscated, and they will also face disciplinary action and/or cessation counselling. The school will notify the parents of the offender student as well as the HSA.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) of Singapore will work with the MoE to extend the reach of anti-vaping messages. At the same time, parents are also urged to talk to their children and curb the habit of vaping.