Authorities report fewer overall cases but continue enforcement against youth vaping and etomidate abuse.
Singapore’s battle against vaping is increasingly focused on young people, rehabilitation, and illegal supply networks, with hundreds of students referred to authorities during the second quarter of 2026.
245 Students Referred to HSA
From April 1 to June 30, 2026, schools and institutes of higher learning referred 245 students to Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for vaping. During the same period, more than 480 young people received counseling to help them quit smoking and vaping, according to a joint update from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and HSA.
Overall Vape Cases Decline
Authorities caught 2,428 people for possessing or using vaporizers during the three-month period, including 1,971 regular vaporizer offenders and 457 etomidate vaporizer offenders. An average of 809 cases were detected monthly, about 30% lower than the monthly average of 1,219 recorded between June and August 2025, before tougher measures took effect on September 1, 2025.
Illegal Supply Remains a Concern
More than 3,900 vaporizers and related components were seized at Singapore’s checkpoints during the second quarter. Nine people were charged over importing or supplying etomidate vaporizer pods, including six allegedly connected to a transnational syndicate from whom more than S$880,000 (approx. Rp70.4 million) worth of pods were seized. Authorities also removed more than 600 online vape listings from e-commerce and social media platforms.
Rehabilitation Efforts Continue
A total of 264 offenders were placed on rehabilitation programs between April and June, bringing the number placed on such programs since enforcement was strengthened in September 2025 to 787. Of those, 245 have successfully completed rehabilitation, while authorities highlighted the case of a 15-year-old boy who completed a three-month program after being caught vaping for a second time.
QuitVape Program to End
Singapore will discontinue its QuitVape program on September 1, 2026, after authorities reported moderating participation. The initiative, launched in September 2025, allowed people using etomidate vapes to voluntarily seek help without penalties or an offense record. Those requiring support after the program ends can still approach the Institute of Mental Health, while other vaping cessation assistance remains available through the Health Promotion Board’s I Quit program.
Singapore’s latest figures present a mixed picture: overall vaping cases have fallen compared with levels recorded before tougher measures were introduced, yet hundreds of students continue to be referred for vaping offenses. Sustained prevention among young people, combined with action against suppliers and rehabilitation for users, will remain central to the country’s anti-vaping strategy.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Yahoo! News Singapore (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Vaping, Student Vaping, HSA, Etomidate Vapes, Vape Enforcement, Youth Vaping
