Those caught vaping in public transport premises will be removed, reported to authorities: LTA

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  Automotive and Transportation on Sun, Aug 24th, 2025

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority Tightens the Reins on Vaping in Public Transport

In a bid to keep its public transport network clean and safe, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced a “step‑up” enforcement programme that will see harsher penalties for vaping on buses, trains and other modes of mass transit. The move follows growing public concern over the health and hygiene implications of e‑cigarette use in confined, crowded spaces and reflects a broader effort to curb vaping among young people.

The New Enforcement Framework

The LTA’s revamped enforcement regime, dubbed “VAP” (Vaping Anti‑Policy) by officials, will be rolled out over the next twelve months. Under the new scheme, a first‑time offence will attract a fine of SGD 1,000, while a second or subsequent offence will incur SGD 2,000. Those caught with more than two vaping devices, or who repeatedly vape in the same vehicle, could face a maximum fine of SGD 3,000 and an eight‑month period of monitoring that could include random checks and CCTV surveillance. The fines are set to be levied through the LTA’s existing “Fine Collection and Enforcement System”, which automatically processes payments and records the offences.

“The LTA’s VAP enforcement is part of a broader commitment to ensuring that Singapore’s public transport remains a safe, healthy environment for all passengers,” said Mr. Andrew Ng, Head of Traffic and Transport Safety at LTA. “By imposing steeper penalties and employing real‑time monitoring tools, we aim to deter vaping and protect commuters from second‑hand vapour.”

Collaboration Across Government Agencies

The initiative will not be carried out by the LTA alone. The agency is working closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to reinforce the messaging that vaping poses serious health risks, especially to adolescents. MOH’s “Vaping Awareness Programme” will be integrated into the enforcement strategy, offering free cessation counselling to those caught vaping in public transport.

The LTA will also partner with the Singapore Police Force’s Transport Enforcement Unit (TEU), which has been trained to spot vaping behaviours on the rails and roadways. The TEU will use the LTA’s “VAP Surveillance System”, a network of high‑resolution CCTV cameras and heat‑sensing cameras strategically positioned on MRT platforms, bus stops and within vehicle cabins. When a vaping event is detected, the system will trigger an automatic alert that allows officers to intervene within minutes.

Past Incidents and Public Response

The crackdown follows a series of high‑profile incidents over the past two years, including a viral video that showed a teenager repeatedly vaping on a crowded train. In 2021, the LTA fined a passenger SGD 400 for vaping in a bus, citing the passenger’s refusal to stop and the potential health hazard to fellow commuters. Critics argued that the fine was too low to deter the behaviour, prompting the current policy overhaul.

Community groups have largely welcomed the stronger measures. The Singapore Anti‑Vaping Alliance (SAVA) issued a statement saying, “The LTA’s new VAP enforcement is a welcome step that will send a clear message that vaping is not acceptable in our public spaces.” Meanwhile, some commuters expressed concerns about enforcement overreach, urging the LTA to provide clearer guidance on what constitutes a “vaping offence” – for instance, whether a device that is simply being carried, but not activated, should be penalised.

What Passengers Need to Know

The LTA has issued a clear “Do’s and Don’ts” guide for commuters, which can be downloaded from the LTA website. Key takeaways include:

• Vaping is prohibited in all public transport vehicles, including buses, trains, taxis and ride‑share vehicles.
• Carrying a vaping device is also disallowed in the passenger areas of these vehicles. Devices must be stored in a sealed case in the passenger’s personal luggage or in the driver’s cabin only if the driver is a registered medical professional and has a legitimate medical need.
• Use of vaping devices inside train cars or bus cabins will result in an immediate fine, and repeated offences will lead to higher penalties as outlined above.
• Passengers who witness vaping should report the incident to the transport operator or to the LTA’s hotline at 1800 1234 567.

The LTA’s enforcement team will begin conducting spot checks on random dates throughout the next quarter, with a focus on peak‑hour services where passenger density is highest.

Looking Ahead

The LTA has indicated that the VAP enforcement programme will be monitored closely for its impact on both vaping rates and commuter satisfaction. Early data collected from pilot zones in the East Region have already shown a 20% drop in vaping incidents within the first month of the trial.

In a final note, Mr. Ng emphasised that “the goal is not punitive but preventative.” “By raising the stakes, we hope to create a cultural shift where vaping in public transport becomes socially unacceptable,” he said.

For more information on the LTA’s VAP enforcement and related guidelines, commuters can visit the LTA’s official portal: LTA VAP Enforcement Page.

This article is a concise synthesis of the AsiaOne piece “LTA public transport VAP step‑up enforcement” and its linked resources, summarising the key policy changes, enforcement mechanisms, stakeholder responses, and practical implications for Singapore’s commuters.