Vape smuggling cases in Singapore decreased from 152 in 2022 to 67 in 2024. The department said it will continue to work with the Immigration and Checkpoints Bureau to strengthen border checks to curb vape smuggling into the country.
According to Lianhe Zaobao reported on February 19, the Singapore Department of Health recently revealed that the number of electronic cigarette smuggling cases has decreased from 152 in 2022 to 67 in 2024, and the authorities said that they will continue to cooperate with Immigration and Checkpoints Bureau to strengthen border checks aimed at curbing the smuggling of electronic cigarettes into the country.
On Tuesday (18), the Netherlands – Bukit Timah GRC Member of Parliament Di Shusha asked the Health Department whether the number of cases of electronic cigarettes being smuggled into the country has increased in the past three years. Health Minister Ong Yikang revealed the relevant statistics of the above vape smuggling cases.
Wang Yikang said that because vapes are legal in some neighboring countries, cross-border cooperation in law enforcement is limited. Nevertheless, the Department will work with the Immigration and Checkpoints Department to strengthen inspection measures to detect and stop the smuggling of vapes into the country, thereby cutting off the supply chain.
Minister for Home Affairs and Law Shanmugam also said that the Central Narcotics Bureau, the Department of Hygiene, and the Immigration and Checkpoints Bureau are collaborating in checkpoint enforcement to detect and seize controlled substances that are trying to be smuggled into the country, including those hidden in vape devices.
Mr Shanmugam said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority would conduct risk assessments on incoming passengers and cargo in advance, and those assessed as high risk would be subject to more detailed checks before entry.
