Singapore MOE: 3,100 Students Caught Vaping Annually; Harsher Punishments and Testing to Begin in September

Key Points

• School enforcement: 260 schools have nicotine testing kits; from September, violators face detention, suspension, corporal punishment (caning) for male students, demerit points and counseling.
• Tertiary penalties: Offenders may lose leadership roles, exchange eligibility and scholarships; serious cases risk dorm eviction or expulsion.
• Peer support: Lawrence Wong urges students to supervise and support peers and seek help from teachers and parents.
• Expanded crackdown: Etomidate-containing e-cigs (Kpods) to be classified as Class C drugs; suppliers face caning and imprisonment.
• Societal scope: Enforcement spans army camps, public transport, parks and border checkpoints; multi-agency operations target smuggling and online sales.

2Firsts, August 29, 2025 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) of Singapore reports that between 2022 and 2024, an average of 3,100 students were caught for vaping each year, with around 800 cases annually in tertiary institutions. Before 2020, schools and tertiary institutions reported fewer than 50 cases to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), indicating explosive growth.

Since March this year, approximately 260 schools have received nicotine testing kits to identify student vaping. MOE stated that all campus vaping violations will be reported, and from September 1, offending students will face tougher disciplinary action, including detention, suspension, caning for male students, demerit points and counseling. At the tertiary level, violators may be stripped of leadership posts, exchange opportunities or scholarships; university students may be ordered to vacate dormitories or face expulsion. Repeat offenders or student dealers will face harsher sanctions.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a joint statement that designated school personnel will be trained and empowered to take enforcement action against offending students. Some campuses have deployed metal detectors to check for vaping devices and are fostering a “peer supervision culture” that encourages students to report classmates who vape. Tertiary institutions have also stepped up patrols, focusing on “high-risk areas.”

At a press conference, Education Minister Desmond Lee emphasized the importance of peer support in curbing vaping: “Young people are more willing to listen to their peers, so positive peer support is critical. We encourage students to look out for friends who may be struggling with vaping and guide them to seek help from trusted teachers.”

Society-Wide Crackdown

Beyond campuses, the government will tighten enforcement in public areas and key institutions. From September 1, “Kpods” — illicit e-cigarettes containing the anesthetic etomidate — will be classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). Suppliers may face caning and imprisonment. The Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team will add etomidate to urine-testing panels and implement stricter checks at camp entrances.

On public transport, patrols at MRT and bus stations have been intensified, with some offenders already referred to HSA. The National Parks Board and National Environment Agency have increased enforcement in public spaces. The police and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) are coordinating with HSA to consolidate e-cigarette cases discovered during routine operations into joint investigations.

At border checkpoints, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened inspections to prevent e-cigarette smuggling.

To strengthen the response, multiple agencies will be authorized under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA) to seize e-cigarettes and issue fines. HSA officers will also be empowered under the MDA to investigate etomidate-related cases and supervise users.

Additionally, the government plans to bring vaping-related offenses under the Organized Crime Act and the Online Criminal Harms Act, and to include TCASA violations under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA). These moves will enable the confiscation of illicit proceeds and the removal of illegal online vape content, bolstering the crackdown on smuggling and online sales.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will expand enforcement capacity, with 700 additional officers granted powers under TCASA. Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash said these measures will “significantly enhance the government’s ability to crack down on sellers, smugglers and criminal syndicates.”