Singapore Shuts Down Over 600 Telegram Groups to Crack Down on Illegal E-Cigarette Sales

Jul.17

Since April 2024, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has shut down over 600 Telegram groups promoting or selling e-cigarettes and Kpods. This is the first time HSA has released such data. Additionally, from January 2024 to March 2025, HSA and the Ministry of Health removed more than 6,800 online listings related to e-cigarettes—more than double the number removed in 2023.

Key Points:

·The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore has shut down over 600 Telegram groups to crack down on the illegal sale of e-cigarettes.

·From January 2024 to March 2025, a total of over 6,800 e-cigarette-related online listings were removed, more than double the amount from 2023.

·This is the first time that HSA has disclosed the number of Telegram groups banned for selling e-cigarettes.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to The Straits Times report on July 16, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore has shut down more than 600 groups on Telegram that were promoting or selling e-cigarettes and Kpods.

The organization stated on July 16th that the channels promoting e-cigarettes have been removed since April 2024.

This is the first time that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has disclosed the number of Telegram groups that have been banned for selling e-cigarettes.

In May 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Ministry of Health announced that over 6800 online listings of e-cigarettes and related components were removed from e-commerce and social media platforms from January 2024 to March 2025.

This figure is more than double the 3,100 listings removed in 2023.

These platforms include Facebook, Instagram, and Carousell, but do not include Telegram.

On July 16th, HSA stated that its tobacco control department has been actively monitoring and enforcing the ban on e-cigarette advertising and sales, both offline and online.

References:

[1] Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA

Also Read:

[1] Singapore May Tighten E-Cigarette Rules as Surge Detected in Products Laced with Anesthetic Etomidate

[2] Singapore Launches Anti-Vaping Campaign Using Satirical Designs to Warn Teens of Risks

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Singapore's Bishan MRT station security officers apprehended a man who discarded an e-cigarette, as crackdown efforts intensify

Security officers at Bishan MRT station in Singapore apprehended a man who evaded security and found his discarded e-cigarette in nearby bushes. The man pleaded guilty to the offence, and the case was referred to the Health Sciences Authority. The incident is part of Singapore's intensified, government-wide crackdown on e-cigarette use.

Sep.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai

COP11 Concludes with Major Decisions on Global Tobacco Control

The Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) concluded in Geneva on November 22, with 160 Parties adopting major decisions on tobacco and nicotine regulation, environmental protection, sustainable financing, and tobacco industry liability. A landmark decision mandates a complete ban on the use and sale of tobacco and all novel nicotine products across all UN premises worldwide.

Nov.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai

2Firsts Research | ZYN Launches Limited-Edition Coffee Flavours and Can Engraving Service at Stockholm Arlanda Airport

2Firsts observed that ZYN has introduced limited-edition coffee flavours and an on-site can engraving service in the duty-free zone at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, alongside the rollout of its upgraded packaging and independent core-shelf displays, forming a complete product presentation and consumer experience system.

Nov.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Product | Pouchless Oral Nicotine NAKD Nicotine Pods Launch with “Garlic-Clove” Shape and Structural Design Drawing Attention

NAKD nicotine pods have been launched overseas with a pouchless solid-pellet design, featuring a “garlic clove–like” appearance that is smaller than traditional nicotine pouches. Made from compostable materials and positioned around instant nicotine release, the product is developed by Norwegian brand Den Norske Snusfabrikken and is already available in several European markets.