Singapore’s Department of Statistics reported that from 2013 to 2023, the number of households that spent money on tobacco products dropped from 17% to 9%. Those who continued using tobacco saw their monthly spend increase from S$224 to S$255 ($165.76 to $188.70) over the same period, with higher costs largely attributed to repeated excise tax hikes. Officials said lower-income households remain disproportionately impacted, with tobacco accounting for about 5% of monthly expenditures for the lowest income group, compared to 2.3% for the highest.
Search results for: “singapore”
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Man Arrested Smuggling Heat Sticks into Singapore
A 27-year-old South Korean man was arrested at Changi Airport in Singapore after authorities intercepted an attempt to smuggle more than 2,000 heat sticks and over 130 vapes into the country. The man told officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority that he had nothing to declare, but baggage scans revealed anomalies that prompted a detailed search. Officers subsequently uncovered the prohibited products and arrested the man.
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Singapore Approves Tougher Anti-Vaping Law
Singapore passed amendments to strengthen enforcement against vaping, with tougher penalties set to take effect May 1 under the renamed Tobacco and Vaporizers Control Act 1993. The updated legislation replaces the earlier Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and targets e-cigarettes and “KPods,” vaping devices laced with the anesthetic etomidate. Individuals caught using vapes could face fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,800), up from S$2,000 ($1,560), while sellers may be fined up to S$200,000 ($156,000) and jailed for up to six years. Importing vapes will carry mandatory prison terms of up to nine years and fines of up to S$300,000 ($234,000).
The law also introduces harsher penalties for offenses involving minors or vulnerable people, including up to 20 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane for adults who involve them in smuggling or supplying KPods. Entertainment venues such as clubs and bars must prevent patrons from vaping and require devices to be discarded, while drivers entering Singapore can no longer avoid liability by claiming they were unaware of vapes in their vehicles.
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Singapore Drastically Raising Vape Fines
Singapore’s government introduced sweeping amendments to its tobacco control laws that would sharply raise penalties for vaping-related offences and expand powers to tackle psychoactive substances. The Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill, tabled on Feb 12, proposes renaming the law the Tobacco and Vaporizers Control Act and increase maximum fines for users from S$2,000 to S$10,000 ($1,560 to $7,800), S$200,000 ($156,000) and up to six years’ jail for sellers, and S$300,000 ($234,000) and up to nine years’ jail for smugglers. The move comes six months after authorities tightened enforcement, as more than 3,500 people were caught for vape possession and use in the final four months of 2025.
The Bill also targets etomidate-laced vapes, or “Kpods,” by listing etomidate and its analogues as specified psychoactive substances, aligning penalties with those under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Etomidate was temporarily classified as a Class C drug from Sept 1, 2025, amid rising youth use, with the listing now extended to April 30 while legislative amendments are finalized. The proposed changes would allow for strict penalties — including imprisonment and caning for trafficking and smuggling — and apply extraterritorially to Singaporeans and permanent residents who commit offences overseas.
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Singapore Seizes 14,550 Cartons of Cigarettes
Singapore Customs seized 14,550 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed inside air cooler units during two enforcement operations in February, uncovering more than S$1.6 million ($1.3 million) in evaded duty and Goods and Services Tax. A 40-year-old Chinese national was arrested in connection with the case.
Officers first intercepted the man on Feb. 7 after observing him leaving an industrial building, who led them to a unit where 7,306 cartons were found hidden in three air coolers. Follow-up investigations resulted in a second raid on Feb. 11 at an industrial building, where an additional 7,244 cartons were discovered concealed similarly. The man said an unknown individual engaged him to retrieve the cigarettes from the air coolers and prepare them for local distribution.
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Filtrona Certified as ‘Top Employer’ in Singapore and Indonesia
Filtrona has been named a Top Employer in Singapore and Indonesia by the Top Employers Institute, recognizing the company’s human resources practices and employee-focused culture. Singapore serves as Filtrona’s global headquarters, while Indonesia hosts its Innovation Centre in Surabaya, which coordinates global research and development. CEO Robert Pye said the recognition reflects the company’s commitment to fostering employee engagement, collaboration across regions, and talent development. Filtrona noted that the certification supports its broader strategy of investing in its workforce to drive innovation, operational excellence, and customer service as it expands globally.
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Singapore’s Tobacco Taxes Increase 20% Today
Beginning today (Feb. 12), Singapore is increasing tobacco excise duties by 20% across all tobacco products as part of Budget 2026 measures aimed at reducing smoking rates. Duties on cigarettes, cigars, and similar products will rise from S49.1 cents to S58.9 cents ($0.39 to $0.47) per stick, while taxes on smokeless tobacco and beedies will increase from S$378 per kg to S$454 per kg ($$299 to $359). Duties on unmanufactured and cut tobacco, as well as other tobacco refuse products, will rise from S$446 per kg to S$535 per kg ($352 to $423).
The move builds on earlier a 10% tax hike in 2018 and a 15% hike in 2023, and complements broader tobacco-control policies, including standardized packaging and expanded smoke-free public spaces. Singapore’s daily smoking rate has steadily declined, reaching a record low of 8.4% in 2024, according to government health survey data.
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Singapore Busts Major Vape Smuggling Syndicate Linked to Malaysia
Singapore authorities announced the dismantling of a large-scale vape smuggling syndicate operating between Malaysia and Singapore, arresting 12 suspects and seizing over 64,000 vaping devices worth nearly RM2 million ($460,000). The suspects—11 men and one woman aged 25 to 35—were detained on October 16 during a joint operation led by the Singapore Police Force with support from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department, and Special Operations Command.
Police said the syndicate was responsible for importing and distributing vapes to local buyers. The arrests took place at a car park where the group was allegedly distributing devices. Follow-up raids uncovered two storage facilities containing the illegal goods, alongside cash, multiple mobile devices, and eight vehicles used in the smuggling operation.
All 12 suspects were charged in court for offenses under Singapore’s Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993, which prohibits the import, sale, and distribution of vapes. Four face conspiracy charges, while eight are charged with possession for sale. Offenders can be fined up to S$10,000 ($2,300) or jailed for six months for a first offense, with harsher penalties for repeat violations.
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Malaysian Customs Seize 300K Illicit Vapes Bound for Singapore
Malaysian Customs officers in Selangor’s Port Klang seized 300,000 e-vaporizers and components hidden in containers falsely declared as furniture, in what investigators believe was a smuggling attempt to supply Singapore’s black market. The shipment, which arrived from China on July 30, contained vapes branded “Salthub,” without mandatory Malaysian health warnings.
A source close to the case told The Straits Times the devices were packed in green polythene bags, a common tactic used by smuggling syndicates. While vaping is legal in Selangor, legal products must meet strict packaging, labelling, and excise requirements.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime had previously warned that Malaysia is becoming a key maritime hub for drug and vape trafficking, with smugglers receiving illicit goods at the port and driving them to such places as Singapore.
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Singapore Vape Ban is Tourism Opportunity for Indonesia
Officials in Batam, Indonesia say Singapore’s strict ban on vaping could boost cross-border tourism, as Singaporeans seek looser regulations just a 45-minute ferry ride away.
Batam Tourism Agency head Ardiwinata told The Jakarta Post that restrictions in Singapore historically drive residents to neighboring Batam, citing past examples where tight rules created new tourism opportunities. “As long as it does not violate our regulations, they can choose Batam,” he said.