A 36-year-old Singaporean man, Byron Chua Longming, has been charged with multiple offences under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act after he was allegedly found in possession of a large quantity of illegal e-vaporisers and related components in a vehicle parked at a Bugis shopping mall.
The incident occurred on August 6, 2024, at about 12:30pm, when enforcement officers uncovered 72 e-vaporisers and 320 pods inside a car located at Bugis Plus. Although court documents did not specify whether the car belonged to Chua, it was revealed that most of the items were intended for sale, a violation under Singapore’s strict anti-vaping laws.
Later that same day, at around 4:40pm, officers found additional vaping products at a residential unit at Block 217 Tampines Street 23. There, Chua was found with 30 pods allegedly meant for sale and two other vapes that were not for commercial purposes.
As a result of these discoveries, Byron Chua was handed five formal charges on July 30, 2025. These charges relate to the possession and sale of prohibited vaping products. A Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prosecutor told the court that an additional charge will be filed against Chua at his next court mention, scheduled for August 21, 2025.
Under Singapore’s existing laws, possessing e-vaporisers or their related parts with intent to sell is a serious offence. Each charge carries a potential fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Even individuals found in possession of such products for personal use without any intent to distribute face a maximum fine of $2,000 per charge.
The case comes amid a wider crackdown on vaping in Singapore. Between January 2024 and March 2025, the HSA seized an estimated $41 million worth of illegal vape products nearly five times the total value of seizures recorded from 2019 to the end of 2023. This sharp rise in enforcement action reflects increasing concern by Singaporean authorities over the spread of vaping devices and their impact on public health.
On July 12, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs issued a joint statement highlighting plans to tighten existing laws surrounding the importation, distribution, and possession of vaping products. The agencies reaffirmed that they would continue taking strict action against individuals involved in the illegal vape trade including those who import, sell, use, or even purchase such items.
To support enforcement efforts, the Health Sciences Authority extended operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline from July 21 onwards. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected vaping offences by contacting the hotline at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037.
The arrest of Byron Chua underscores the seriousness with which Singapore treats vape-related offences, and the ongoing determination by enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal vaping activity at all levels from retail sellers to casual users.
Investigations into the full extent of Chua’s activities are ongoing, and further legal action is expected at the next court date.
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