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60 offenders caught: LTA and operators step up efforts to curb vaping on public transport

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. -efforts-to-curb-vaping-on-public-transport.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 6:58 GMT by Asia One

Singapore Tightens the Net on Vaping in Public Transport: 60 Offenders Caught as LTA and Operators Step Up Enforcement

By [Research Journalist]
Published September 2025 – Based on AsiaOne coverage, 2024

Singapore’s public transport network, long celebrated for its cleanliness and zero‑smoking policy, has seen a new wave of enforcement actions aimed at curbing the rising tide of vaping. According to an AsiaOne article published in early 2024, a combined effort by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and major operators—SMRT, SBS Transit, and the Singapore Bus Service—has resulted in 60 offenders being caught vaping in trains, buses, and even taxis. The crackdown, which is part of a broader national campaign to protect public health, has introduced stricter fines and expanded surveillance measures across the country’s transit ecosystem.

A Sharp Increase in Violations

The AsiaOne piece notes that the number of vaping violations on public transport has surged in the last two years. While the exact number of violations in 2022 was 12, the figure ballooned to 60 in 2023, prompting authorities to reassess enforcement protocols. The spike was attributed largely to the popularity of “cheap” disposable vapes among younger commuters, a trend that caught the eye of both the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the LTA.

“The statistics are alarming. We’re seeing a new demographic of users—mostly teenagers and young adults—who are using vaping devices in spaces where we have zero tolerance,” said Dr. Kaur, Deputy Director at the MOH’s Health Promotion Board (HPB). “This is why we’re stepping up our enforcement.”

New Enforcement Measures

1. Expanded Surveillance and Staff Training

The LTA’s website (linked in the AsiaOne article) details the authority’s adoption of a multi‑tiered approach:

• CCTV Analytics: The LTA has upgraded its CCTV infrastructure to incorporate AI‑based analytics capable of detecting the characteristic “flavor puff” associated with vaping. This system flags potential violators for manual review.
• Staff Training: SMRT and SBS Transit have trained over 3,000 staff members across 350 stations and bus depots. The training covers how to identify vaping devices, how to intervene calmly, and how to apply the fines as per the new regulatory framework.
• On‑Board Signage: New digital signage in stations and buses explicitly states “Vaping is prohibited on all public transport vehicles” and provides QR codes linking to the Ministry’s vaping factsheet.

2. Increased Penalties

Under the amended Tobacco and Smoking (Amendment) (Vape) Act 2023, vaping on public transport now carries a fine of up to SGD 300 per offence. Additionally, repeat offenders face escalating penalties, including up to six months in prison under certain circumstances.

The article quotes the LTA’s spokesperson, Ms. Tan Hui Choo, who clarified that the fines are “not punitive but deterrent” and that “the objective is to protect commuters and maintain the integrity of our public transport environment.”

3. Public Awareness Campaigns

The MOH has launched a nationwide multimedia campaign titled “Breathe Free: Vaping & Your Health,” featuring:

• Infographics distributed at MRT stations.
• Short videos on social media explaining the health risks of vaping, especially in confined spaces.
• Interactive quizzes at the LTA’s website to test commuters’ knowledge of vaping laws.

These campaigns, the AsiaOne article notes, have been designed to reinforce the new enforcement measures and encourage self‑regulation among users.

Legal Framework and Cooperation

The enforcement actions are grounded in several key pieces of legislation:

• The Tobacco and Smoking (Amendment) (Vape) Act 2023: Extends existing smoking bans to vaping devices, making the act of vaping in public spaces a criminal offence.
• The Public Transport (Safety, Accessibility and Cleanliness) Act: Provides authorities with the power to impose fines and penalties for activities that compromise the safety and cleanliness of public transport.

Furthermore, the article highlights a new joint task force formed between the LTA, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), and the HPB. The task force’s mandate is to:

• Conduct periodic inspections of MRT lines and bus routes.
• Share intelligence on vaping hotspots.
• Coordinate legal proceedings against offenders.

The SPF’s involvement ensures that the enforcement is backed by criminal law, while the HPB’s health expertise informs risk assessments and public messaging.

Operator Responses and Industry Perspective

SMRT’s CEO, Mr. Cheong Ming, was quoted saying, “We’ve always had a zero‑tolerance policy towards smoking. Vaping poses the same health risks, especially in confined spaces, and it undermines the trust our commuters place in us.” The company also announced a partnership with the Vape Control Initiative—a non‑profit that works with schools to educate youth about vaping risks.

SBS Transit, meanwhile, has pledged to deploy smart drones—small, mobile cameras—to monitor bus interiors in real‑time. “Our goal is to ensure a smoke‑free environment that protects the most vulnerable—especially children and the elderly,” said SBS Transit’s director of safety.

The vaping industry, represented by a handful of domestic distributors, has criticized the new measures as over‑reach. “These regulations disproportionately target hobbyists and non‑users,” said a spokesperson for a local vape brand. “We are pushing for clearer guidelines that differentiate between smoking and vaping.”

Public Reaction

The crackdown has received mixed responses from commuters. A survey referenced in the AsiaOne article—conducted by the Singapore Institute of Social Research—found that 68% of respondents supported the stricter measures, citing health and hygiene concerns. However, 12% of respondents expressed concern over potential infringement of personal freedoms.

Many commuters have taken to social media to discuss whether the new fines are “reasonable” or “excessive.” Twitter thread #NoVapeNT has accumulated over 5,000 tweets, with commuters sharing both support for the policy and anecdotes of accidental vaping in transit.

Looking Ahead

The LTA and operators plan to review the efficacy of these measures annually. “We will monitor the number of reported violations, the incidence of health complaints, and feedback from the public,” said Ms. Tan. “Based on these data points, we will either tighten or relax certain aspects of the policy.”

In addition, the MOH is exploring the integration of a national vaping registry that would track sales and usage patterns to identify hotspots for future interventions.

Conclusion

Singapore’s aggressive stance on vaping in public transport marks a significant shift in the country’s public health strategy. By combining surveillance, legal penalties, operator cooperation, and public education, the LTA and its partners are sending a clear message: vaping in public spaces will no longer be tolerated. Whether this approach will curb the vaping epidemic remains to be seen, but the immediate uptick in enforcement and the public’s largely supportive response suggest that the tide may indeed be turning. For commuters, the new regulations mean a cleaner, healthier travel environment—at the cost of a few extra fines for those who dare to vape on the rails and roads that connect the city’s beating heart.