HSA extends hotline hours, launches new platform to report vaping offences

SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) will be enhancing its vaping reporting channels from July 21 with extended operating hours for its current hotline and a new online platform to report illegal vaping activities, the agency said on July 20.

The expanded reporting channels from July 21 will be:

The hotline service to report vaping-related offences will operate daily, including public holidays, with extended hours from 9am to 9pm.

It was previously operational only on weekdays, from 9am to 5.30pm.

Useful information to include in reports to aid investigations include images of the suspected vapers, details of vape sellers and distributors, as well as the date, time and location of the suspected vaping offences.

Vaping offences may include illegal advertisement, import, distribution, sale or possession of e-vaporisers.

HSA said it has observed a significant increase in public feedback on vaping-related offences since 2024, receiving more than 3,000 reports in 2024 and more than 2,500 reports in the first half of 2025.

In one case, two 16-year-old boys were suspected to be vaping during a car ride on May 18, and were reported by their private-hire driver to the traffic police, who seized two e-vaporisers from one of the boys.

An HSA raid on the teens’ homes four days later produced three e-vaporisers and more than 50 pods – some of which were found to contain the controlled drug etomidate – from the home of the boy whose vapes were seized by the police.

The two boys are assisting in investigations, said the agency.

Public reports also include a rise in the number of social media posts of people vaping in public.

A man was filmed on May 19 holding a vaping device while sitting on a road and can be seen in the video shaking uncontrollably when attempting to walk. The 58-year-old was fined after admitting to vaping during an HSA raid on his residence three days later, although no vapes were found.

In another post, a 24-year-old man was seen vaping in a lift at Sim Lim Square on April 30. He was identified by HSA, which raided his residence on May 16, leading to two e-vaporisers being seized. He is assisting in investigations, said the agency.

These social media posts and public feedback have helped the agency as an additional source of surveillance data for enforcement activities, said HSA.

Punishment

The purchase, possession and use of vapes are prohibited in Singapore under the Tobacco Act, and offenders face a fine of up to $2,000. Illegal purchases include those made online and from overseas.

Those convicted of selling, importing or distributing vaping devices or their components face a harsher punishment of a six-month jail term, or a $10,000 fine, or both for their first offence.

According to the Ministry of Health, around one in three vapes seized in Singapore has been found to contain etomidate, a controlled substance and classified poison under the Poisons Act.

Etomidate is typically used by medical professionals as an anaesthetic during medical procedures by being injected into patients’ veins under clinical supervision. It is never meant to be inhaled.

Those found to be dealing with etomidate face a two-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine under the Poisons Act.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on July 20 said

the authorities are working to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act

, a move that would make offences of those abusing and trafficking etomidate-laced vaping devices as serious as those of people who abuse and traffic depressants such as nimetazepam, also known as Erimin-5.