8 people fined for vape-related offences in 2-month enforcement operation at IHLs

SINGAPORE – Eight persons, aged 18 to 24, were fined for vape-related offences following enforcement operations conducted from Sept 8 to Nov 14 at and around all 12 institutes of higher learning (IHLs).

A total of 19 vapes and related components were seized and the offenders were issued fines on the spot, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a joint statement on Nov 27.

During the operations, HSA enforcement officers and IHL campus security officers checked locations within and around the IHLs, with images provided by the authorities showing checks being carried out in toilet cubicles, stairways and overhead bridges.

In addition to fines imposed by the HSA, students caught for vaping offences will also be punished by their schools, with the punishments “strengthened to align with the stricter national posture against vaping”, according to the joint statement.

For example, a 24-year-old man caught for vape-related offences on campus in September was fined by the HSA and received disciplinary action from his school, HSA and MOE said.

He will undergo mandatory counselling, the statement added.

Penalties for vape-related offences have been strengthened

from Sept 1.

For example, the fine for first-time vape users under 18 has been increased to $500 from $300, while the fine for first-time adult users has been increased to $700 from $500.

From 2022 to 2024, about 800 students were

caught for vaping offences annually

across the IHLs, which comprise the Institute of Technical Education, five polytechnics and six autonomous universities.

During a previous operation conducted by the HSA on July 14,

27 people were caught

and fined near five IHLs.