HSA Seizes Over $1.1M in Vaporisers
Summary
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized over $1.1 million worth of vaporisers in an operation on February 24, 2026. New penalties under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA) will take effect from May 1, 2026, targeting importers, suppliers, and premises owners.
What changed
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore announced the seizure of nearly 67,000 vaporisers and related components, valued at over $1.1 million, during an operation on February 24, 2026. This action targets the illegal importation and distribution of vaporisers. The HSA also highlighted upcoming enhanced penalties under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA), which will be in force from May 1, 2026, imposing significant fines and mandatory imprisonment for importers and suppliers, as well as penalties for owners and occupiers of premises who fail to prevent the storage of prohibited products.
Regulated entities, particularly importers, suppliers, and owners/occupiers of commercial premises in Singapore, must be aware of the new penalties and due diligence requirements under the TVCA. Compliance efforts should include verifying tenants, incorporating explicit clauses in tenancy agreements, and conducting ad-hoc inspections to prevent the storage of vaporisers. Failure to comply with these measures can result in substantial fines and imprisonment. The HSA has also published a handbook to assist with compliance efforts.
What to do next
- Review and update tenancy agreements to prohibit storage of vaporisers.
- Implement due diligence measures to prevent storage of prohibited products in commercial premises.
- Familiarize with new mandatory imprisonment and fine structures under the TVCA effective May 1, 2026.
Penalties
First offence under Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act: fine up to $10,000 or imprisonment up to six months or both. Second/subsequent offence: fine up to $20,000 or imprisonment up to 12 months or both. Under TVCA (from May 1, 2026): Importers face mandatory imprisonment up to 9 years and fine up to $300,000. Suppliers face mandatory imprisonment up to 6 years and fine up to $200,000. Owners/occupiers permitting storage without due care: First offence fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment up to 3 years or both; second offence fine up to $200,000 or imprisonment up to 6 years or both.
Source document (simplified)
HSA Seizes More than $1.1 Million Worth of Vaporisers – Largest Seizure Since 1 September 2025
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted an operation on 24 February 2026 which resulted in the seizure of almost 67,000 vaporisers and related components worth an estimated street value of more than $1.1 million.
2 HSA mounted an operation against an illegal shipment of vaporisers and caught a 29-year-old man based on intelligence received. Follow-up investigations revealed that the subject was in charge of a commercial warehouse located in Mandai, which was found to be storing large amounts of vaporisers for local distribution. He was arrested for his suspected involvement in the importation of the vaporisers and related components. Investigations are ongoing.
3 Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, it is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale vaporisers and their components. Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence.
4 From 1 May 2026, new and enhanced penalties under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA) will be in force, targeting importers and suppliers of the prohibited products, as well as occupiers and owners of premises who do not comply with the measures, among other enforcement actions. Importers of vaporisers will face mandatory imprisonment for up to nine years, and a fine of up to $300,000; suppliers will face mandatory imprisonment for up to six years, and a fine of up to $200,000.
5 Under the TVCA, owners and occupiers of land, buildings and places must exercise due care to prevent the storage of prohibited products, such as vaporisers in their premises. This may involve conducting tenant verification, explicit tenancy agreement clauses on prohibited activities, and ad-hoc inspections. Owners or occupiers of any land, building or place in Singapore, who permit or allow any other person to store or keep such products or their components without exercising due care face a fine of up to $100,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years, or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $200,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 years, or both for the second offence. HSA has published a handbook on exercising due care to support compliance efforts.
6 Members of the public who have information on the illegal advertising, import, distribution, sale or possession of vaporisers can contact HSA to support our enforcement efforts through two convenient channels:
- Submit information through our online reporting form: www.go.gov.sg/reportvape or scan the QR code:
- Call HSA at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037, operational daily, including weekends and public holidays, from 9am to 9pm.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE 13 MARCH 2026
Consumer, Healthcare professional, Industry member, Tobacco control Published:
13 Mar 2026
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13 Mar 2026
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