Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore’s Parliament on March 6 passed a new Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act, significantly increasing penalties for offences related to electronic cigarettes.
The law, amended from the former Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act and other related legislation, introduces tougher enforcement measures against vaping and related products.
Under the new regulations, adults who involve young people or vulnerable individuals in smuggling or supplying Kpods – vape devices often mixed with the anaesthetic agent etomidate – could face up to 20 years in prison and up to 15 strokes of the cane.
Adults who possess a Kpod but fail to prevent minors from using it may face jail terms of up to 10 years.
Entertainment venues such as clubs and bars are required to prevent customers from using e-cigarettes and ask them to discard their devices. These establishments also have the authority to deny entry or remove patrons who fail to comply.
Penalties for vaping-related offences have been sharply increased. Fines for users have risen fivefold, for sellers twentyfold, and for smugglers thirtyfold. As a result, users may face fines of up to 10,000 SGD (over 7,800 USD) while sellers can be fined up to 200,000 SGD and face up to six years in prison. Smugglers may be fined up to 300,000 SGD and jailed for up to nine years.
Previously, vape users faced a maximum fine of 2,000 SGD while distributors, importers and sellers of vaping products could receive up to six months in jail and a fine of up to 10,000 SGD.
Vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018. However, the practice has continued in public spaces over the years, with some cases reportedly involving seizures and psychotic episodes linked to the use of Kpods.
Recently, Singapore extended the classification of etomidate as a Class C controlled drug until April 30 to allow the new law to take effect. The legislation also places etomidate and similar substances under a new category of specific psychoactive substances (SPS).
Offences involving these substances will be subject to penalties similar to those under existing drug laws.
The new law also expands the definition of tobacco products to include substances that produce nicotine-like effects, aiming to address attempts by the tobacco industry to circumvent tobacco control regulations with new products./.
