Harms of vaping
E-vaporisers are known to contain harmful chemicals such as fine particulate matter (PM), cancer-causing agents like carbonyls and volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Additionally, dangerous heavy metals like tin, lead and nickel have also been found in these devices, making them inherently harmful to health. Despite being packaged in colourful and sleek forms with sweet and fruity flavours to mask their health risks, the primary function of e-vaporisers is to dispense nicotine, a highly addictive substance.
Nicotine consumption can lead to acute side effects such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and in severe cases, sweating, nausea, and diarrhoea. Apart from health risks, nicotine exposure during adolescence can have permanent effects on impulse control, negatively impact the developing brain's ability to learn and focus and lead to mood disorders.
Find out why you should not vape and read more about the harms of e-vaporisers.
Multipronged approach
The Ministry of Health (MOH), Health Promotion Board (HPB), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), and Ministry of Education (MOE) adopt a multipronged approach comprising legislation, public education, counselling and enforcement to curb the supply and demand for e-vaporisers, as well as encouraging positive social support from friends and family to tackle youth vaping.
MOH and HSA also work with MOE, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), National Environment Agency (NEA) and National Parks Board (NParks) to step up enforcement on multiple fronts, including in the community, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), at the checkpoints, and online.
To further deter youths from vaping, from March 2024 onwards, all offenders (including first-time offenders in schools and IHLs) who are caught for purchase, use and possession offences for e-vaporisers are referred to HSA and subjected to a fine of up to $2,000.
HSA monitors local online retail sites, social media platforms and messaging apps for any suspected peddling of such prohibited products and their refill liquids and cartridges. We also work with related e-commerce sites like Instagram, Facebook, Carousell to remove such listings promptly upon detection.
View the latest enforcement-related news here.
Penalties
HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch administers and enforces the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA). From 1 February 2018, the purchase, possession and use of emerging and imitation tobacco products, which include e-vaporisers, have been prohibited. This is in addition to earlier prohibitions on the importation, sale and distribution of these products.
Under the Act, any person who is convicted of selling, offering for sale, possessing for sale, importing or distributing e-vaporisers, is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six months or both for the first offence, and to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both, for the second or subsequent offence.
Any person who is convicted of possession, use and purchase of e-vaporisers is liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000.
Enforcement statistics
What to do if you spot someone vaping or selling e-vaporisers
Members of the public can contact HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday).