Singapore seizes over 240 e-vaporisers at checkpoints in four-day crackdown

Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) detected 42 travellers in possession of e-vaporisers and seized more than 240 e-vaporisers and related components over four days, in a stepped-up enforcement operation at the country's air, land, and sea checkpoints.

The ICA announced the results in a Facebook post on 29 March 2026, stating that the operation ran between 24 and 27 March 2026. The authority said it had ramped up checks at all checkpoints to detect and deter attempts to smuggle e-vaporisers into the country.

Of the 42 cases recorded during the period, approximately 52 per cent involved short-term visitors and 48 per cent were Singapore residents. The ICA defines Singapore residents as citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders.

The cases include both travellers found in possession of e-vaporisers and those who voluntarily disposed of them before clearing immigration.

Vaping is illegal in Singapore

The ICA used the announcement to reiterate that vaping is illegal in Singapore, and that all foreigners visiting or residing in the country are required to comply with its laws.

"Individuals caught possessing, using or purchasing e-vaporisers will face higher penalties," the authority stated. The ICA did not specify penalty amounts in its post, but the warning applied to both visitors and residents alike.

Short-term visitors who re-offend face a ban from re-entering Singapore. For foreigners holding long-term passes — including Employment Passes, S Passes, work permits, Student's Passes, Long-Term Visit Passes, and Dependant's Passes — a third offence may result in pass revocation, deportation, and a re-entry ban.

Disposal facilities available at Changi Airport

Travellers flying into Singapore or transiting through Changi Airport have access to e-vaporiser disposal bins, offering an avenue to surrender devices before entering the country.

The ICA said it remains committed to securing Singapore's borders against the smuggling of e-vaporisers as part of broader government-wide enforcement efforts.

"ICA continues to support the Whole-of-Government efforts against e-vaporisers through stepped-up checks at Singapore's air, land and sea checkpoints," the authority stated in its post.

The four-day operation comes amid Singapore's longstanding prohibition on e-vaporisers, which has been in place since 2016 under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. The country prohibits the import, distribution, sale, and use of such devices.