Changi Airport enforcement operation discovers 177 individuals in possession of vapes

This operation, occurring on 20, 23, 27, and 30 December, aimed to discourage attempts to bring in e-vaporisers or vapes during the peak travel period via the airport.

Throughout the operation, officers from HSA and ICA monitored passengers arriving at Changi Airport's four terminals.

In areas with high foot traffic, pull-up banners and digital screens were placed, notifying passengers about the prohibition of e-vaporisers in Singapore.

Passengers were reminded to use the Red Channel after collecting their baggage to declare any vapes to ICA officers.

Those whose baggage indicated irregularities during scanning underwent additional inspections. Confiscation of discovered vapes and on-the-spot fines were imposed on passengers who failed to declare them.

These border operations form part of the authorities' efforts to prevent the proliferation of vaping in Singapore.

The joint statement also revealed that during a separate operation at Tuas Checkpoint on 21 December, ICA officers found 25 e-vaporisers and related components beneath the seats of a Singapore-registered car.

In total, the statement indicated 1,656 e-vaporiser-related cases detected in December.

Among these cases were 176 individuals apprehended by HSA for possessing e-vaporisers at the ZoukOut 2023 dance music festival on Sentosa Island from 2 to 3 December.

In the upcoming months, HSA and ICA plan to conduct operations at land and sea checkpoints.

Concurrently, educational institutions will enhance their efforts to detect and enforce against vaping. These measures include better identification and removal of e-vaporiser sales and advertisements online.

Individuals found in possession of, using, or purchasing e-vaporisers may face fines of up to $2,000.

First-time offenders engaging in the import, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of e-vaporisers and their components may be fined up to $10,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both.

Repeat offenders could face fines of up to $20,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. Furthermore, all prohibited tobacco items will be seized.