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Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA
This is the first time HSA is releasing figures on the number of Telegram groups being taken down for selling vapes. PHOTOS: SCREENGRABS FROM TELEGRAM
Summary
- HSA said it has removed over 600 Telegram groups selling vapes since April 2024, releasing such figures for the first time.
- Despite removals, vape sales persist on Telegram with channels reaching 27,000+ members, sending frequent sales messages.
- HPB's I Quit programme has 116,800 participants since 2014; 1,800 youths received vaping and smoking cessation counselling from January 2024 to March 2025.
The agency said on July 16 that these channels promoting vapes have been removed since April 2024.
This is the first time HSA is releasing figures on the number of Telegram groups being taken down for selling vapes.
In May 2025, HSA and the Ministry of Health said in a statement that more than 6,800 online listings of vapes and its related components were removed from e-commerce and social media platforms from January 2024 to March 2025.
The figure was more than double the 3,100 listings removed in 2023.
These platforms included Facebook, Instagram and Carousell, but not Telegram.
On July 16, HSA said its Tobacco Regulation Branch has been actively monitoring and enforcing the ban on advertisements and sales of vapes, both offline and online.
Using automated tools, the agency said it actively tracks online listings, social media posts and messaging platforms to detect and remove illegal advertisements and posts.
Its spokesman said: “HSA has also intensified operations against both physical and online distribution networks, strengthened border controls with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, and increased enforcement presence in public spaces where vaping is prevalent.”
Checks by ST on July 16 showed at least 12 Telegram channels previously selling and promoting vapes are no longer active.
When clicked on, an alert read: “Not available. This group can’t be displayed because it violated local laws (Singapore).”
Checks by ST on July 16 showed at least 12 Telegram channels previously selling and promoting vapes were no longer active. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM TELEGRAM
However, there were at least 10 channels still selling vapes and Kpods on Telegram. One channel had more than 27,000 members, while another had more than 23,000.
On one channel, around eight messages would be sent every minute to its members, listing the flavours available and the prices.
When ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. Others, however, continued with a flurry of texts in a bid to attract buyers.
In reply to ST’s queries, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) said 116,800 participants have joined its I Quit programme, designed to help participants quit smoking and vaping, from May 2014 to December 2024.
HPB said the programme does not keep track of which participants are smokers or vape users.
From January 2024 to March 2025, close to 1,800 young people received vaping and smoking cessation counselling.
HPB added that during the same period, almost 118,500 students from schools and institutes of higher learning were involved in activities aimed at raising awareness about the harms of vaping.
Citing the World Health Organisation, HPB said vapes are harmful to one’s health, warning that vapes are not safer alternatives to regular cigarettes.
It said studies have shown that vaping is associated with increased risk of developing heart and lung diseases and poses significant threat to brain health, especially in younger users as their brains are still developing.
HPB added: “The presence of etomidate found in e-vaporiser pods seized by authorities reinforces our concerns about the dangers of vaping and the potential presence of other harmful substances that could be present in vape pods, which vape abusers may unknowingly be exposed to.”
Used in hospitals for inducing sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and never intended to be inhaled.
When vaped, etomidate enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis.
If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at [email protected]
https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/e-cigarettesvaping
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