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Singapore works with overseas counterparts to curb vape syndicates abroad: Rahayu Mahzam

Singapore works with like-minded overseas counterparts to share information on vape-related activities and may even conduct joint operations as part of anti-vape efforts, said Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam in Parliament on Thursday (Sept 10).She was responding to a parliamentary question from East Coast GRC MP Hazlina Abdul Halim, who had asked if Singapore's law enforcement agencies work...

AsiaOne Singapore2026-09-10 12:40查看原文 ↗

Singapore works with overseas counterparts to curb vape syndicates abroad: Rahayu Mahzam

She was responding to a parliamentary question from East Coast GRC MP Hazlina Abdul Halim, who had asked if Singapore's law enforcement agencies work with their overseas counterparts to identify Singaporeans involved in overseas vape production or distribution networks.

She also asked what enforcement actions can be taken against such persons.

Earlier in July, Singaporean Oh Jiang Fong , who was initially thought to be missing in Vietnam, was found to have been arrested by Ho Chi Minh police .

This, after they launched an operation against a syndicate producing and trafficking etomidate-laced vapes.

Citing police sources, Vietnamese media outlets reported that Oh was nabbed alongside another Singaporean, Melvin Tan Junjie, and Malaysian Hoo Jia How on July 17.

Ho Chi Minh police said they have questioned a total of 76 people and charged 65 suspects over the alleged drug ring. This includes four Singaporeans, according to media outlet Dan Tri.

In her reply on Thursday, Rahayu pointed out that Singapore's criminal laws generally apply to acts committed in Singapore only.

However, Singapore's law enforcement agencies do work with their overseas counterparts to share information on illegal activities and conduct joint operations from time to time, she said.

This, Rahayu added, is also dependent on whether vape production, distribution and consumption are illegal in those countries.

Certain laws apply to Singaporeans and PRs overseas

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those who consume controlled drugs overseas can be tested upon return and prosecuted as if they consumed it in Singapore.

There are also provisions in certain offences such as terrorism and hijacking — where it targets Singapore, or occurred on a Singapore-registered aircraft or ship — that allows extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Similarly, the Prevention of Corruption Act applies for corrupt acts committed by Singapore citizens outside of Singapore, just as it would locally.

From May 1, vape users, sellers and smugglers will face higher fines after amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act were passed in Parliament.

The maximum fines for users, sellers and smugglers have been raised to $10,000, $200,000, and $300,000 respectively. Sellers and smugglers may also be jailed for up to six years and nine years.

Need support around vaping or addiction?

To report vaping offences: Contact Health Sciences Authority’s Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 / 6684-2037 (7am to 12am daily) or https://www.go.gov.sg/reportvape

To quit vaping: Contact Health Promotion Board’s I Quit programme at 1800-438-2000 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/iquit/e-cig/

For more addiction or substance abuse support:

Institute of Mental Health's National Addictions Management Service: 6389-2200

WE CARE Community Services: 3165-8017 or 8391-3023 (WhatsApp)

Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association: 6732-1122

Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities: thkmc.org.sg

Fei Yue Community Services: 6485-8749

新加坡卫生部政务部长拉哈尤·马赫扎姆周四（9月10日）在国会表示，新加坡与志同道合的海外伙伴合作，分享有关电子烟活动的信息，甚至可能开展联合行动，作为反电子烟努力的一部分。

她是在回应东海岸集选区议员哈兹丽娜·阿卜杜勒·哈利姆提出的议会质询。哈兹丽娜询问新加坡执法机构是否与海外同行合作，以识别参与海外电子烟生产或分销网络的新加坡人。

她还询问可以对这些人采取哪些执法行动。

7月初，新加坡人吴江峰（Oh Jiang Fong）最初被认为在越南失踪，但后来发现他已被胡志明市警方逮捕。

此前，他们曾对一个生产和贩运掺有依托咪酯的电子烟的犯罪团伙展开行动。

越南媒体援引警方消息人士报道称，吴某于7月17日与另一名新加坡人陈俊杰和马来西亚人胡嘉豪一同被捕。