Travelers flying to or even transiting through Singapore must be aware of a dramatic escalation in the country's anti-vaping laws, with severe new penalties taking effect on September 1, 2025. While vaping has been banned since 2018, the government is now treating the issue as a drug enforcement priority, prompted by a surge in vapes laced with the anesthetic etomidate, locally known as "K-pods."
Under the new rules, etomidate has been reclassified as a Class C drug, placing vapes containing it on par with substances like cocaine. Importers of these "K-pods" risk 3–20 years in prison plus 5–15 cane strokes, while distributors face 2–10 years in jail plus 2–5 strokes of the cane.
Even for regular, non-etomidate vapes, penalties are harsh. Possession or use by an adult can result in a S$700 fine, with repeat offenders facing fines up to S$2,000 and potential imprisonment. For foreigners, the consequences are even more severe. Short- or long-term pass holders (including work and student passes) risk having their permits revoked, being deported, and permanently banned from re-entering Singapore after multiple offenses.
Travelers transiting through Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) are not exempt. As security screening often occurs at the gate, passengers may face confiscation and fines simply for possessing vapes between flights. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has urged travelers to use the new amnesty bins being installed at the airport to dispose of their devices. While Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam suggested a "sensible approach" might be taken with transit passengers, the official policy remains strict. The message is clear: do not carry any vape device to or through Singapore.
