Man in army uniform allegedly vaping on bus released from SAF custody; investigations ongoing

SINGAPORE – A man who was held in custody by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) after he was caught on video apparently vaping has been released, the Ministry of Defence said on Aug 2.

The Straits Times understands that he is an SAF national serviceman, and investigations are ongoing.

Mindef said it had identified the man, who was wearing an army uniform, after looking at an online video that began making the rounds on social media on July 31.

The clip allegedly shows him using an e-vaporiser while on board a public bus.

In a media reply late on Aug 1, Mindef said that the possession and use of vapes by its service personnel is “both a matter of military discipline and an offence under national law”.

Service personnel who possess or use vapes can be fined up to $1,000, or be subject to detention if the vapes are laced with controlled drugs, the ministry said.

“Besides enforcement, the SAF also undertakes awareness and education efforts, and provides cessation counselling and support,” Mindef said. “Service personnel are encouraged to speak to their commanders or medical officers if they require help.” 

Between January 2024 and March 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized more than

$41 million worth of vapes and their components

.

On July 20, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said Kpods, or vapes laced with etomidate, made up a third of more than 100 randomly tested seized vapes.

He added that several deaths in Singapore, including from traffic accidents and unnatural deaths, have been linked to etomidate.

The Republic has been ramping up measures to tackle the vape scourge.

On July 25, the Ministry of Health, HSA and the People’s Association launched the

Bin The Vape initiative

. Vape disposal bins were installed at 23 community clubs and one residents’ network centre, where users can throw away the devices without fear of punishment.

On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs will

second its officers to HSA

to assist with enforcement efforts, including the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of etomidate abusers.

Also, the Home Affairs Ministry will list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, while it supports the Health Ministry in deciding on further legislative action to take against Kpod offenders.

Under current laws, etomidate is listed as a poison and regulated under the Poisons Act.

Listing the substance as a Class C drug means users can be subjected to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres.

To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA reporting hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays.

The public can also do so online at

www.go.gov.sg/reportvape