ICA officers foil two smuggling attempts in one day, highlighting Singapore’s strict anti-vaping stance
Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) stopped two women from smuggling 2,400 heat sticks and four vapes through Changi Airport Terminal 4 on September 6, underscoring the country’s tough crackdown on e-vaporisers.
Two Cases in One Day
ICA said both seizures happened within hours at Changi Airport Terminal 4. At 1:45 p.m., officers flagged a female Romanian traveller for enhanced checks. She was found carrying nearly 1,200 heat sticks and two e-vaporisers.
Later that night, at 11:55 p.m., ICA profiled a South Korean work permit holder. When asked if she had anything to declare, she denied it — but a thorough search uncovered another 1,200 heat sticks and two more vapes.
What Are Heat Sticks?
Heat sticks are cylindrical tobacco products designed for heat-not-burn devices. Unlike cigarettes, they are heated electronically to release a nicotine aerosol without combustion. Authorities classify them as prohibited tobacco-related products.
Tough Laws Against Vaping
Both cases have been referred to Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority for investigation. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, possession, use, or purchase of vapes carries a fine of up to SGD 2,000. Importing or selling them can result in fines up to SGD 10,000 and six months’ jail, with penalties doubled for repeat offenders.
Since September 1, penalties have been raised further. Vape users under 18 face fines of SGD 500, while adults face SGD 700. Repeat long-term pass holders risk having their passes revoked, deportation, and entry bans.
Recent Crackdowns at Checkpoints
Between September 1 and 4, ICA detected 123 vape-related cases, seizing over 1,500 devices and components. About 70 percent of cases involved short-term visitors, while the rest were Singapore residents. Just weeks earlier, ICA intercepted 850 vape products at various land, air, and sea checkpoints.
Growing Enforcement Nationwide
Singapore is treating vaping as both a public health and drug-control issue. Authorities caught 232 people for vape-related offences in the first week of September alone, reinforcing the country’s whole-of-government strategy against e-vaporisers.
The back-to-back seizures at Changi Airport highlight Singapore’s zero-tolerance approach to vaping and tobacco alternatives. For travellers, the message is clear: attempting to bring vapes or heat sticks into Singapore can result in steep fines, prosecution, and deportation — as the government intensifies efforts to safeguard public health and border security.
Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: ICA Singapore, Changi Airport Seizures, Heat Sticks, Vape Crackdown, Tobacco Laws
