2,400 Illegal Heat Sticks & Vapes Seized at Changi

 

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has successfully intercepted two separate attempts to smuggle prohibited tobacco products and electronic vaporisers into Singapore through Changi Airport. The incidents, which both occurred on September 6, 2025, at Terminal 4, are a direct result of the agency's intensified checks at all of Singapore's checkpoints.

The first interception took place at 1:45 p.m. ICA officers, during the course of their duties, directed a female traveler from Romania for enhanced checks. This decision was based on their assessment that she was likely carrying a prohibited item. The enhanced inspection confirmed their suspicions. The woman was found to be in possession of a significant quantity of contraband, including nearly 1,200 heat sticks, which are heat-not-burn tobacco products, and two electronic vaporisers.

The second case occurred later that same day at 11:55 p.m. Officers profiled a female South Korean national who was a work permit holder in Singapore for further checks. As part of the standard questioning process, the officers explicitly asked her if she had any items to declare, specifically mentioning electronic vaporisers. The traveler declared that she had nothing to declare. However, based on their profiling and training, the officers proceeded to conduct a thorough check of her belongings.

This inspection revealed that the traveler had been untruthful in her declaration. concealed within her luggage, officers discovered a cache of contraband nearly identical to the first case: almost 1,200 heat sticks and two electronic vaporisers. The failure to declare these prohibited items constituted a further violation of the law.

Both cases were immediately referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation. The Health Sciences Authority is the agency responsible for enforcing laws related to tobacco and vaporiser products. The individuals involved now face potential penalties under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.

These interceptions underscore the critical role that border security plays in Singapore's comprehensive enforcement strategy against banned substances like electronic vaporisers and emerging tobacco products. The ICA employs a multi-layered approach, combining officer intuition, behavioral profiling, and technological assistance to identify and select travelers for checks. The fact that both seizures involved nearly identical quantities of goods suggests a potential trend in smuggling attempts.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority reiterated its commitment to its role as the guardian of the nation's borders. Through continued vigilance and stepped-up checks, the agency aims to deter such smuggling attempts and keep Singapore's borders safe and secure from the influx of prohibited items that pose a risk to public health and safety.