Singapore has launched an aggressive campaign against vaping, implementing harsh penalties including jail time, state-mandated rehabilitation, and even caning for those caught with e-cigarettes. The government’s crackdown comes in response to the emergence of drug-laced vaping products, known as “K-pods,” which have become increasingly popular on the black market.
Customs officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint, Singapore’s main land crossing with Malaysia, are on high alert, conducting thorough searches of vehicles to prevent the smuggling of vaping devices into the country. Authorities have discovered vaping supplies hidden in various concealed compartments, from air conditioning units to bread vans.
The strict measures are part of Singapore’s broader campaign to eliminate vaping, which has been banned in the city-state since 2018. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has declared vaping a “drug issue,” warning that the devices could be used to deliver even more dangerous substances in the future.
Under the new regulations, individuals caught with e-cigarettes face fines of up to 10,000 Singapore dollars (£5,765; $7,780) and the possibility of being sent to state-mandated rehabilitation. Sellers, particularly those found with drug-laced vapes, could be jailed for up to 20 years and receive up to 15 strokes of the cane, a painful punishment.
The crackdown has also extended to schools, where students caught with vaping devices could face suspension, expulsion, and caning. Authorities have set up a hotline for the public to report suspected vaping, and have been conducting roving patrols and bag checks at bus and metro stations to catch those reluctant to give up their devices.
The government’s efforts have been accompanied by a massive public health campaign, with advertisements warning of the dangers of vaping and referencing popular media like “Breaking Bad” and “Stranger Things” to reach young people.
While the majority of Singaporeans appear to support the government’s tough stance on drugs, some have voiced concerns that the crackdown goes too far. One vaper, using the pseudonym Michael, argued that the government is “strong-arming” people into giving up vaping, which he sees as a personal choice.
Another vaper, known as Toby, acknowledged the need for a harsh crackdown to protect teenagers, but felt that the ban was unfair for adults who were using regular, non-drug-laced vapes. He plans to switch back to smoking cigarettes.
The debate over vaping regulations is not unique to Singapore. While some countries, like the UK, view vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking and a useful tool for quitting, others, like Singapore, have taken a more hardline approach. The World Health Organization has called Singapore’s campaign a “turning point” that could influence global tobacco and drug policy in the years to come.
