Further to AD-053-2025 dated 28 August 2025, the Philippine Embassy informs kababayans in Singapore and Filipino travellers to Singapore that beginning Monday, 1 September 2025, individuals caught possessing, using or purchasing e-vaporizers will face higher penalties and recalcitrant  users may be required to undergo rehabilitation. Etomidate and its analogues will be classified as Class C controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 (MDA) for a period of six months, pending the Ministry of Health’s introduction of a more fit-for-purpose legislation. 

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Health on 28 August, following are the enhanced penalties beginning 1 September 2025:  

Offenders found possessing, using or purchasing e-vaporizers

1. First-time offenders will be issued a Notice of Composition (NOC) of SGD 500 (for offenders under 18 years old) and SGD 700 (for adults). This is an increase from the current NOC of SGD 300 and SGD 500, respectively.

1. Second-time offenders will be required to attend rehabilitation for three months. Those who do not complete the rehabilitation programme will be prosecuted.

1. Third-time offenders and more will be prosecuted in court under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and be liable for a fine of up to SGD 2,000.

Etomidate e-vaporizer offenders and abusers

1. First-time offenders will be issued an NOC of SGD 500 (for offenders under 18 years old) and SGD 700 (for adults). In addition, they will be required to attend rehabilitation for up to six (6) months. 
2. Second-time offenders will be arrested. They will be investigated by the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore (CNB), which includes statement-taking and urine testing. Offenders will be required to undergo mandatory supervision for 6 months which includes drug testing and rehabilitation.
3. Offenders who do not complete the rehabilitation programmes will be prosecuted in court.
4. Offenders who are 16 years old and older, caught for the consumption of etomidate for the third time and more, will be admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) for treatment and rehabilitation under MDA. They will undergo rehabilitation programmes in the DRC and subsequently undergo drug testing and supervision for 12 months.
5. Those who are under 16 years old will be subjected to mandatory supervision in the community for 12 months.

Importers, sellers and distributors of etomidate e-vaporizers 

1. Importers are liable for between 3 to 20 years’ imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane.
2. Sellers and distributors are liable for between 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane.

Disciplinary actions in schools and Institute of Higher Learnings (IHLs)

Use of e-vaporizers, not just etomidate abuse, are serious offences in schools and IHLs.

Students caught for vaping and substance abuse will be reported to HSA and CNB, respectively. These students will face additional school or institution-based disciplinary consequences.

From 1 September 2025, there will be a stricter framework to guide schools to mete out detention, suspension and/or caning (for boys only) for e-vaporizers-related offences.

Schools will also adjust the conduct grade of the student offender and take rehabilitative measures, such as counselling. Recalcitrant offenders will face harsher measures.

For IHLs, the stepped-up disciplinary measures include withdrawal of privileges, such as leadership opportunities, overseas exchanges and/or scholarships, eviction from hostel for university students, fines and/or community service orders. Recalcitrant students and student e-vaporizer traffickers will face suspension or dismissal.

Foreigners who visit or live in Singapore

 All foreigners who will visit or live in Singapore must abide by Singapore laws.

1. Foreigners who are found in possession of e-vaporizers will have their e-vaporizers seized and be issued a NOC.  
2. Repeat offenders will face more severe consequences. Short-Term Visit Pass holders who re-offend will be banned from re-entering Singapore upon departure.  
3. Long-term pass or immigration facility, such as Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Student’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, or Dependant’s Pass, may also have their pass or immigration facility revoked on a third offence, and be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore thereafter.    
4. Foreigners caught possessing or using etomidate e-vaporizers or who test positive for etomidate may have their pass or immigration facility revoked, and be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.

Any appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Call to Action

If someone you know is vaping, please encourage him or her to stop vaping immediately and dispose of their e-vaporizers at one of the bins provided by HSA (go.gov.sg/bin-vapes).

Filipinos working, studying and living in Singapore, including Filipino travellers who will enter Singapore, are reminded to abide by Singapore laws. Do not use e-vaporizers, purchase nor attempt to bring them into Singapore. The Singapore Government adopts a zero-tolerance stance on vaping.

For more information, visit www.gov.sg/stopvaping. 

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SINGAPORE

1 September 2025

Annex A – Summary of Enhanced Penalties

Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/whole-of-government-efforts-to-tackle-vaping/