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Singapore detected 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases in 2025, seizing about 230,000 items

Feb.04
Singapore detected 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases in 2025, seizing about 230,000 items
Singapore’s Ministry of Health said on Feb. 3 that authorities detected 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases in 2025 and seized about 230,000 vapes and accessories. Over the past two years, more than 10,000 online vape sale advertisements were removed, with about 99% linked to overseas platform posts. Enforcement includes bot-driven surveillance, public tip-offs, and site-blocking with partner agencies.

Key Points

 

  • 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases detected in 2025
  • About 230,000 vapes and accessories seized in 2025 by HSA and ICA
  • 10,000+ online vape sale ads removed over the past two years
  • ~99% of takedowns linked to overseas posts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat, YouTube, Telegram)
  • Remaining listings appeared on local platforms such as Carousell and Lazada

 

 

2Firsts, Feb. 4, 2026

 

According to The Straits Times, Singapore’s Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam said in Parliament that a total of 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases were detected in 2025. The cases were uncovered by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), which seized about 230,000 vapes and accessories last year.

 

Mahzam added that HSA works with e-commerce, social media and messaging platforms to remove online listings that sell vapes.

 

 More than 10,000 such advertisements were taken down over the past two years, with about 99% linked to overseas platform posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat, YouTube and Telegram. The remainder were hosted on local platforms such as Carousell and Lazada.

 

She said enforcement is conducted on a sustained, daily cadence. This includes using bots to scan commercial sites and flag vape listings for takedown, as well as acting on tip-offs from members of the public and partner agencies.

 

After offending listings are removed, HSA works with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Singapore Police Force’s Online Criminal Harms Act Office to block specific vape commercial sites. 

 

Mahzam said the approach is multi-pronged, combining enforcement with public education and encouraging the public to identify and report illicit online vape sales.

 

Image source: ST FILE

References:
[1] 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases detected by HSA and ICA in 2025; 230,000 vapes and parts seized
Also Read:
[1] Singapore sentencing: 17,000+ vape pods seized; man convicted of multiple offences
[2] Singapore HSA bust links two vape warehouses; Malaysian man jailed 41 weeks
[3] First Prosecution in Singapore Over Social Media Vaping Posts

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