Singapore Parliament Passes Landmark Bill Mandating Stiffer Fines and Jail Terms for Vaping Offences

Singapore passes the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act, raising vape possession fines to S$10,000 and introducing mandatory jail for importers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 6:18 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

Escalating the Legal War Against Vaporisers

Singapore has enacted a sweeping legislative overhaul to combat the proliferation of electronic vaporisers, significantly raising the stakes for both users and distributors. On Friday, Parliament passed the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA), a rebranding of the previous tobacco control act that reflects a broader and more aggressive mandate. Senior Minister of State for Health Koh Poh Koon emphasized during the debate that the majority of current vape users do not yet utilize psychoactive substances like etomidate, but the new penalties are designed to act as a definitive deterrent before such trends escalate further.

Dramatic Increases in Monetary and Custodial Penalties

The financial consequences for individual vape users have seen a five-fold increase, with the maximum fine for purchase, use, or possession jumping from S$2,000 to S$10,000. However, the most severe adjustments target the supply chain. Individuals caught importing vapes now face mandatory jail sentences of up to nine years alongside fines reaching S$300,000. Sellers and suppliers are also under increased pressure, facing potential six-year prison terms. These measures aim to cripple the black market infrastructure that has continued to feed local demand despite existing prohibitions.

Targeting Psychoactive Substances and Future Proofing

A critical component of the new legislation is the creation of a category for Specified Psychoactive Substances (SPS), which specifically targets chemicals like etomidate that can be delivered via vaping devices. By establishing this category, the government has moved etomidate from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the TVCA to streamline enforcement. The law also includes an extraterritorial clause, making it a criminal offence for Singapore citizens and permanent residents to consume these psychoactive substances while abroad, effectively closing a loophole previously used to evade local detection.