Key Points
- School enforcement: 260 schools have nicotine testing kits; from September, violators face detention, suspension, corporal punishment (caning) for male students, demerit points and counseling.
- Tertiary penalties: Offenders may lose leadership roles, exchange eligibility and scholarships; serious cases risk dorm eviction or expulsion.
- Peer support: Lawrence Wong urges students to supervise and support peers and seek help from teachers and parents.
- Expanded crackdown: Etomidate-containing e-cigs (Kpods) to be classified as Class C drugs; suppliers face caning and imprisonment.
- Societal scope: Enforcement spans army camps, public transport, parks and border checkpoints; multi-agency operations target smuggling and online sales.
2Firsts, August 29, 2025 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) of Singapore reports that between 2022 and 2024, an average of 3,100 students were caught for vaping each year, with around 800 cases annually in tertiary institutions. Before 2020, schools and tertiary institutions reported fewer than 50 cases to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), indicating explosive growth.
Since March this year, approximately 260 schools have received nicotine testing kits to identify student vaping. MOE stated that all campus vaping violations will be reported, and from September 1, offending students will face tougher disciplinary action, including detention, suspension, caning for male students, demerit points and counseling. At the tertiary level, violators may be stripped of leadership posts, exchange opportunities or scholarships; university students may be ordered to vacate dormitories or face expulsion. Repeat offenders or student dealers will face harsher sanctions.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a joint statement that designated school personnel will be trained and empowered to take enforcement action against offending students. Some campuses have deployed metal detectors to check for vaping devices and are fostering a “peer supervision culture” that encourages students to report classmates who vape. Tertiary institutions have also stepped up patrols, focusing on “high-risk areas.”
At a press conference, Education Minister Desmond Lee emphasized the importance of peer support in curbing vaping: “Young people are more willing to listen to their peers, so positive peer support is critical. We encourage students to look out for friends who may be struggling with vaping and guide them to seek help from trusted teachers.”
Society-Wide Crackdown
Beyond campuses, the government will tighten enforcement in public areas and key institutions. From September 1, “Kpods” — illicit e-cigarettes containing the anesthetic etomidate — will be classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). Suppliers may face caning and imprisonment. The Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team will add etomidate to urine-testing panels and implement stricter checks at camp entrances.
On public transport, patrols at MRT and bus stations have been intensified, with some offenders already referred to HSA. The National Parks Board and National Environment Agency have increased enforcement in public spaces. The police and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) are coordinating with HSA to consolidate e-cigarette cases discovered during routine operations into joint investigations.
At border checkpoints, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened inspections to prevent e-cigarette smuggling.
To strengthen the response, multiple agencies will be authorized under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA) to seize e-cigarettes and issue fines. HSA officers will also be empowered under the MDA to investigate etomidate-related cases and supervise users.
Additionally, the government plans to bring vaping-related offenses under the Organized Crime Act and the Online Criminal Harms Act, and to include TCASA violations under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA). These moves will enable the confiscation of illicit proceeds and the removal of illegal online vape content, bolstering the crackdown on smuggling and online sales.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will expand enforcement capacity, with 700 additional officers granted powers under TCASA. Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash said these measures will “significantly enhance the government’s ability to crack down on sellers, smugglers and criminal syndicates.”
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
