At Singapore’s Woodlands Checkpoint, the country’s busiest land crossing with Malaysia, thousands of vehicles move slowly under the watchful eyes of customs officers each day. On one such busy morning, a white van is pulled aside for inspection as officers tap along its chassis, search the driver’s belongings and scan his mobile phone. Their focus is not traditional drugs or contraband, but electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, which have been banned in Singapore since 2018.
While vaping has long been illegal in the city-state, authorities say a more dangerous trend has emerged in recent years with the rise of drug-laced e-cigarettes known locally as K-pods. These vapes contain etomidate, a powerful anaesthetic with effects similar to ketamine, and their growing presence has alarmed officials in a country known for its strict drug laws and zero-tolerance enforcement.
The Singapore government has responded with an aggressive nationwide crackdown, introducing tougher penalties and preparing new legislation to address the evolving threat. Individuals caught possessing vapes can now face jail time, mandatory rehabilitation or corporal punishment, alongside heavy fines. A wide-reaching public health campaign has also been launched to warn residents, particularly young people, about the dangers of vaping.
The World Health Organisation has described Singapore’s approach as a potential “turning point” that could influence tobacco and drug policy beyond its borders. At border checkpoints, customs officers say most illegal vapes enter Singapore from Malaysia, often hidden in air-conditioning units, electrical equipment, food delivery vehicles or vehicle compartments. As smugglers increasingly switch to transporting smaller quantities concealed throughout vehicles, officers have had to rely on X-ray scanners, manual inspections and constantly updated tactics.
Singapore introduced its vaping ban in 2018 as a precautionary measure while studying the health risks associated with e-cigarettes. Despite the prohibition, an underground online market quickly developed, with users saying that supplies could be easily obtained through messaging apps and online forums. Concerns intensified with the appearance of K-pods, particularly after videos circulated online showing young people collapsing or behaving erratically after using the drug-laced vapes.
A random test conducted last July found that around one-third of seized vapes contained etomidate. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong later declared vaping a drug issue, warning that e-cigarettes were simply delivery devices and could be used to administer even more dangerous substances in the future. In September, authorities introduced harsher penalties, including fines of up to S$10,000 and mandatory rehabilitation, while those selling vapes now face up to 20 years in prison and caning. Foreigners are subject to the same punishments and may also be deported.
Schools have tightened disciplinary rules, with students caught vaping facing suspension, expulsion or corporal punishment. Additional measures are expected as the government prepares new laws specifically targeting etomidate and similar substances. Vape disposal bins have been installed across the island, security checks have increased at transport hubs, and a public hotline set up to report suspected vaping received more than 2,600 reports within its first nine weeks.
A widespread public awareness campaign has accompanied the enforcement drive, using advertisements inspired by popular films and television shows to reach younger audiences. Some campaigns feature real-life cases involving serious injuries and deaths linked to drug-laced vapes. Between September and November, nearly 2,000 people were arrested for vaping-related offences, according to authorities, who say the crackdown has already reduced the proportion of drug-laced vapes in seizures to below 10%.
Public opposition has been limited, though some vapers privately criticise the policy. Several argue that banning vapes is excessive when cigarettes remain legal despite well-documented health risks. Others say the ban unfairly penalises adults who use regular e-cigarettes and may even push them back toward smoking. Critics have also questioned whether the 2018 ban contributed to the growth of a black market by creating demand for high-value illicit products such as K-pods.
Public health experts remain divided. Singaporean officials maintain that an outright ban has helped contain the problem and prevent widespread addiction, while critics in countries such as the UK argue that regulated vaping can be less harmful than smoking and useful as a quitting aid. Singapore counters that vapes can deliver higher nicotine doses, are more addictive and may contain harmful chemicals.
Globally, approaches to vaping vary widely. At least 46 countries now ban vape sales entirely, while more than 80 others impose some form of regulation. Despite Singapore’s sweeping enforcement, vapers say supplies remain available, with some travelling to neighbouring countries to buy them. An Indonesian tourism official has even promoted nearby Batam as a destination for vaping. As one user put it, enforcement may reduce use, but it is unlikely to eliminate vaping altogether.
