The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and police fined three people spotted vaping during an enforcement operation in Punggol on April 30, 2026. Among those fined on the spot was an 11-year-old, along with two others aged up to 29, including two males and one female [1, 2].
During the same operation, a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of a repeat etomidate offence after his urine tested positive for the drug. Officials seized four vaping devices and related components, including one pod suspected to contain etomidate, which was sent for testing [1, 2].
Five additional males aged 17 to 20 were caught for underage smoking and referred to the Health Promotion Board for cessation counselling. The HSA said, "Another five males aged 17 to 20 years old were caught for underage smoking. They have been referred to the Health Promotion Board for cessation counselling" [2].
The enforcement came just before new anti-vaping laws took effect on May 1, 2026. Under the updated rules, fines for vaping offences jump to a maximum of S$10,000 from S$2,000 previously. Those caught vaping etomidate face fines up to S$20,000, jail time up to 10 years, or both [1, 2].
Vaping and possession of vape-related items have been a concern in Singapore. In the last four months of 2025 alone, 3,534 people were caught and fined for vaping or owning vapes. Of those, 3,168 were ordinary vape users while 366 were linked to Kpod, an etomidate-laced vape product [1].
The Punggol operation results were publicly announced on May 13, 2026, reaffirming Singapore's commitment to strict enforcement under the new laws [1, 2]. The suspected etomidate pod seized remains under testing as authorities continue investigations.
