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Smoking in Singapore

1,954 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Singapore.

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September 15, 2025 by straitstimes.com

Malaysian state assemblyman warns vape smugglers of strict laws in Johor, Singapore

Over 15,000 vapes and components were seized at land crossings in June and July. Johor authorities warn Malaysians against smuggling vapes into Singapore due to strict laws in both countries. Syndicates use social media to sell vapes and entice locals, especially youth, with large sums of money. The Johor government supports a nationwide vape ban to empower enforcement agencies. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad plans to present a Cabinet Memorandum on the ban by year-end. Recent seizures include 7,400 vape products at Woodlands Checkpoint and 7,680 vape pods at the Second Link crossing. Authorities urge vigilance and highlight the serious consequences of breaking the law in Singapore.

August 14, 2025 by lowyinstitute.org

AI-Driven Tobacco Control in ASEAN Requires Unified Data Standards

Aligning the diverse digital infrastructure across member states offers a chance for effective AI deployment to help the region’s 120 million smokers.

July 16, 2025 by straitstimes.com

Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA

Health Sciences Authority (HSA) removed over 600 Telegram groups selling vapes to Singaporeans. More than 6,800 online vape listings were removed, with double the listings taken down in 2023. HSA actively enforces the ban on vape sales and advertisements online and offline. The agency intensified operations, collaborated with authorities, and increased monitoring efforts. The Health Promotion Board's I Quit program helped over 116,800 participants quit smoking and vaping. Vaping poses health risks, including heart and lung diseases, especially among young users. Vapes contain harmful substances like etomidate, which can lead to severe health issues when inhaled.

November 01, 2024 by worldvapersalliance.com

Back to the (Vaping) Future

Despite extensive research showing vaping as less harmful and effective in quitting smoking, the Singaporean Ministry of Health maintains outdated anti-vaping arguments from 2013. The Ministry questions the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, despite evidence supporting their success. Recent studies have debunked claims of vaping as a gateway to smoking, showing youth smoking rates decreasing as vaping rises. With over a decade of evidence supporting vaping's benefits, it's time for policies to reflect reality over unfounded fears. Singapore should reevaluate its stance on vaping and even consider revisiting its ban on chewing gum.

April 15, 2024 by straitstimes.com

Vaping among youth in Singapore: The real damage it is doing to their bodies

Vaping-related respiratory issues are a concern, with patients often not disclosing their vaping history to doctors. Cases are not systematically tracked in hospitals, hindering treatment. Singapore has seen vaping-related breathing problems, requiring specialized treatments like lung washing. Globally, vaping's popularity has surged, especially among teenagers and young adults. Despite claims of being a healthier alternative, the World Health Organization urges treating e-cigarettes like tobacco and banning flavors.

January 18, 2024 by channelnewsasia.com

Vaping clouds efforts by cessation clinics to help smokers quit for good

Mr Dandiar Rosli used to burn through a pack of cigarettes a day. In an effort to kick the habit a few years ago, he turned to electronic vapourisers, commonly known as vapes, believing they were a healthier choice that would wean him off cigarettes. Two months into vaping, however, he started waking up in the middle of the night with coughing fits that produced yellowish-green phlegm. Mr Dandiar, who was 34 back then, was also constantly breathless and panting even while sitting or lying down.

January 11, 2024 by channelnewsasia.com

Potential loss in tobacco tax revenue not a factor in e-cigarette ban: Lawrence Wong

Public health, not potential tax revenue losses, was the reason Singapore decided to ban electronic cigarettes in 2018, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday (Jan 10). Member of Parliament James Lim (WP-Sengkang) had filed questions on e-cigarettes or vapes, asking if the potential loss of tax revenue was a factor in disallowing e-cigarettes. In a written reply, Mr Wong said the ban was to protect Singapore's population from the harms of e-cigarettes, also known as vapes.

January 09, 2024 by theindependent.sg

Singapore cracks down on vaping as Lee Hsien Yang calls for lift on e-cigarette ban

The authorities have cracked down on those found with vapes at the end of 2023 and the start of 2024, with hundreds being fined after being found with e-vaporisers in several operations in December. Amid these actions, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s estranged younger brother, Lee Hsien Yang, has called on the Government to lift its ban on e-cigarettes. In response to a crackdown in early December at Zoukout, Mr Lee Hsien Yang wrote on Facebook on 8 Dec: “Singapore should lift the ban e-cigarettes. The benefits that would accrue from regulated use of e-cigarettes outweigh the potential risks involved.”

December 19, 2023 by straitstimes.com

Singapore will boost enforcement and education efforts to curb vaping

The authorities will be stepping up enforcement and education efforts against vaping to prevent it from having a foothold in Singapore. This comes as users continue to buy e-vaporisers or vapes online, or when they go overseas, despite the ban on these products, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a joint statement on Dec 19. Those who possess, use or buy e-vaporisers may be fined up to $2,000.

December 19, 2023 by channelnewsasia.com

Singapore to step up enforcement against vapes at Changi Airport and other checkpoints

As part of a multi-agency effort to clamp down on vaping, Singapore authorities will step up checks at air, land and sea checkpoints in the coming months, starting with Changi Airport. "Incoming passengers may be screened for e-vaporisers and their components at the arrival halls, and those found with e-vaporisers or their components will be fined," said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a media release on Tuesday (Dec 19). Passengers carrying e-vaporisers must pass through the Red Channel, which is for people with goods to declare, so that they can dispose of the prohibited items.