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16 arrested for e-vaporiser offences following raids on public entertainment outlets

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 10:44 GMT by Asia One
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Singapore Tightens Grip on Illegal “E‑Vaporisers” After Nationwide Raid Sweep

In a coordinated effort that swept across the island’s nightlife scene, 16 individuals were arrested on charges related to the illegal sale and use of e‑vaporisers – a category of electronic smoking devices that bypass the country’s stringent health‑and‑safety regulations. The arrests followed a series of raids on public entertainment venues, including bars, nightclubs and karaoke parlours, that were discovered to be dispensing unapproved vaporizers to patrons, many of them minors.

The police operation, dubbed “Operation V‑Guard” by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), was carried out over a span of five days in mid‑June. It targeted 23 premises that had been flagged by a tip‑off network of community watchdogs and by an ongoing investigation into the illicit trade of e‑vaporisers. At the end of the sweep, authorities seized more than 2,000 devices – a mix of “pod‑style” e‑vaporisers and larger, cigar‑shaped units that were marketed with misleading health claims.

The Legal Landscape

E‑vaporisers that are not registered with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) are illegal under Singapore’s Medicines Act and the Misuse of Drugs Act. Under the HSA guidelines (link to the HSA website), any e‑vaporiser that contains nicotine must carry an HSA licence, and the device must meet safety and quality standards. Importing or selling unlicensed devices is punishable by a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years, depending on the nature of the offence.

Ministers have repeatedly warned that the proliferation of unregulated vaporizers, especially those marketed with bright colours and flavours attractive to young people, poses a serious public‑health risk. In its recent statement, the Ministry of Health emphasised that the sale of “unapproved e‑vaporisers” is “inconsistent with the country’s public‑health objectives to curb nicotine addiction among youth” (link to Ministry of Health statement).

Who Was Arrested?

The 16 arrests span a range of roles, from retail operators to the individuals who actually used the devices. Among the detained were:

• Six bar managers who oversaw the illegal sale of e‑vaporisers to under‑age patrons.
• Five customers who were caught smoking in a closed‑room karaoke parlour, one of whom was a 14‑year‑old.
• Four employees of a nightclub that was acting as a distribution hub for the devices.
• One supplier who provided the devices to several of the venues.

Police said that the arrested individuals were taken into custody at the Singapore Police Headquarters for questioning. All are currently being held under the Prevention of Crime Act while investigations into potential supply chain links continue.

What the Raids Reveal

The raids exposed a network that sourced e‑vaporisers from overseas markets, especially from China, where the production of “unapproved” vaping devices remains rampant. An investigative article in The Straits Times (link) found that the bulk of these devices were shipped in small consignments, labelled as “personal electronic devices” to avoid customs scrutiny. The same article highlighted that the majority of the seized vaporizers were packaged with nicotine concentrations that far exceeded the legal limit of 20 mg/ml.

The Singapore Customs Department, which collaborated with the SPF during the raids, noted that the smuggling operations were facilitated by a “complex logistics chain” that leveraged the country’s busy ports of entry. Customs officials added that they had already identified a potential shipping route that could be exploited for further shipments of illegal vaporizers.

The Public Health Angle

Health experts argue that the surge in illegal e‑vaporiser use is a direct consequence of the relaxed public‑health regulations on e‑cigarettes that were introduced in 2019. While the HSA’s official stance has been to regulate nicotine-containing e‑vaporisers, the policy has been criticised for inadvertently encouraging a black‑market where cheaper, unregulated devices can thrive.

Dr. Loke, a respiratory specialist at the National University Hospital, commented that “the health implications of using unregulated vaporizers are still not fully understood, but the evidence suggests they could carry higher levels of toxicants and lead to increased nicotine dependence, especially among adolescents.” She also pointed out that the lack of quality control in these devices could expose users to harmful metals and chemicals.

What Comes Next?

The Ministry of Health is set to announce a comprehensive review of its e‑vaporiser regulation framework next month. Officials say the review will consider tightening import controls and expanding enforcement measures. In a recent press release, the HSA noted that they will “reinforce the licensing process” and impose “more stringent penalties for non‑compliant operators” (link to HSA press release).

The SPF will also be working with the Singapore Customs to tighten border controls and conduct spot inspections of freight containers. In the meantime, local councils have urged nightlife operators to adopt stricter staff vetting procedures and to remove all unapproved vaping devices from their premises.

In an age where the line between “cleansed” vaping and unregulated nicotine use continues to blur, Singapore’s crackdown underscores a broader shift towards safeguarding public health, especially the next generation. While the legal and enforcement machinery is tightening, the underlying challenge remains – ensuring that the industry stays transparent, accountable, and, above all, safe.