NDR 2025: Vaping to be treated as drug issue with stiffer penalties, says PM Wong
In his National Day Rally speech on Aug 17, PM Wong said every generation worries about negative influences impacting their young people.
He said new risks will emerge and vaping is a serious concern.
Addressing the vaping scourge for the first time, PM Wong said vaping is banned in Singapore. But people are still smuggling vapes in, and finding ways to get around the law.
He added: "Many of these vapes are laced with addictive and harmful substances like etomidate. So the vapes themselves are just the delivery devices. The real danger is what's inside.
"Right now, it's etomidate. In future, it could be something worse - stronger or far more dangerous drugs."
PM Wong said much tougher actions will be taken against vaping.
Vaping has been banned since 2018. Under current laws, possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000.
But PM Wong said imposing a fine is no longer enough.
"We will treat this as a drug issue, and impose much stiffer penalties. That means jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances," he said.
PM Wong said supervision and rehabilitation will be given to those addicted to vapes to help them quit.
"We will step up nation-wide enforcement. And we will mount a major public education drive - starting in schools and the institutes of higher learning, and also during National Service," he said.
While the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health will lead the efforts, this will be a robust whole-of-government exercise, said PM Wong,
"The agencies have already started, and the ministries concerned will then share more details soon," he added.
PM Wong's comments on vaping follow The Straits Times' launch of its anti-vaping campaign on July 13 called Vaping: The Invisible Crisis.
Since then, the government has escalated its anti-vaping measures.
On July 20, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the authorities were working to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
MHA is expected to do so soon as an interim measure while MOH continues to study further legislative action.
This paves the way for abusers and traffickers of vapes laced with etomidate, or Kpods, to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.
Currently, etomidate is listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine.
Etomidate is meant for use only during medical procedures. When vaped, it enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis.
On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said his ministry will second its officers to HSA. Aside from enforcement, they will also help in the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of abusers.
On Aug 13, HSA said it was working with Hong Kong's Department of Health (DOH) to tackle vaping by exchanging information and expertise with each other.
On the same day, ST reported HSA had recently advertised job openings for investigators specifically to crack down on Kpods. More than 800 people have since applied for the job.
And on Aug 14, MOH and HSA said more than 100 people were under investigation for offences involving vapes.
The public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, or online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
Those who need help to quit vaping can join the Health Promotion Board's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000.
The authorities have said those who voluntarily seek support to quit vaping will not face any penalties for doing so.
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