Singapore Strengthens Enforcement Against Travelers Carrying Vaping Devices

Singapore is stepping up enforcement against arriving travelers carrying vaping devices, as part of a broader global crackdown on e-cigarette use.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, authorities in the financial hub will conduct operations at air, land, and sea checkpoints, starting with Changi Airport. The statement added that inbound travelers may be checked for vaping devices or their components, and those caught with them may be fined.

In Singapore, the purchase and use of e-cigarettes are already illegal, with fines of up to S$2,000 (US$1,505). Anyone caught importing or selling vaping products may face fines of up to S$10,000 and, for a first offense, up to six months in jail.

Although the long-term effects of e-cigarettes are still being studied, they may cause nausea, vomiting, irritation of the mouth and airways, chest pain, and heart palpitations—and young people are the target market.

Singapore—like the United Kingdom and Australia—is also seeking to address youth vaping. The city-state’s tougher measures came within a week of Australia announcing a ban on imports of disposable e-cigarettes starting in January, followed by a ban on all non-therapeutic versions starting in March.