Singapore's rules and fines: the ones that actually catch Brits out

Singapore is a "fine city" in both senses, and the fines that really bite Brits aren't the chewing gum ones.

The short version

• Vapes are banned outright. Adults caught vaping pay SGD 700 (about £405) the first time, and a foreigner on a long-term pass can lose it and be deported after a third offence [2].
• Drugs are the big one. The FCDO warns that even very small amounts can lead to the death penalty, and that drug traces in your system on arrival can get you arrested [1].
• Littering costs SGD 300 (about £174) on the spot for a first offence; throwing rubbish from a flat can mean court fines up to SGD 10,000 [3].
• Jaywalking within 50 m of a crossing gets you a fine, SGD 50 (about £29) each for the pedestrians caught in one July 2026 operation, and the Traffic Police do run operations [4].
• Chewing gum isn't illegal to chew, but selling it is, except as a registered health product [5].

Pound conversions use the Bank of England spot rate of 5 November 2026 (£1 = SGD 1.7214).

The fines at a glance

Vaping: the one Brits trip over most

Back home, vapes are on sale in every corner shop. In Singapore they're illegal to buy, use, own or bring in, even for personal use, and the FCDO says devices are confiscated and you can be fined [1]. The FCDO lists vaporisers and e-cigarettes among the items you can't bring into Singapore, so leave yours at home rather than hoping it slips through [1].

The penalties were toughened on 1 September 2025 [2]:

1. First offence: a composition fine of SGD 700 for adults (about £405) or SGD 500 for under-18s (about £290).
2. Second offence: three months' rehabilitation; skip it and you're prosecuted.
3. Third and later offences: prosecution, with a fine of up to SGD 2,000 (about £1,160).

For foreigners it's worse. A visitor who reoffends can be banned from coming back, and someone on an Employment Pass or Student's Pass can have the pass revoked on a third offence, followed by deportation and a re-entry ban [2]. That's your job, your flat and your children's school place gone, over a vape.

Kpods and etomidate

Vapes laced with etomidate, known as Kpods, are now treated as drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act [2]. Using one adds compulsory rehabilitation to the fine, and a foreigner who possesses or uses one, or tests positive, can have their pass revoked and be deported [2]. Importers face 3 to 20 years in prison and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane [2].

Drugs: the line you never cross

The FCDO is as blunt as it gets. Penalties for all drug offences are severe, you can be detained without trial, and sentences include prison, caning and death [1]. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to the death penalty, including in transit through Changi [1].

Two things surprise Brits:

• What you took elsewhere counts. The FCDO says you can be screened for drugs on arrival, including in transit, and charged or detained even if you took the drug somewhere it's legal [1]. A weekend in Bangkok, or cannabis edibles in Canada, can follow you home.
• High-street legal isn't Singapore legal. Don't bring cannabis products of any kind, however easy they are to buy back home.

If you take prescription medicines, check the rules for bringing them in with the Health Sciences Authority before you fly.

Littering, smoking and the "Year of Public Hygiene"

Litter

The National Environment Agency (NEA) takes litter seriously. A first offence brings a SGD 300 composition fine [3]. Repeat offenders can be handed a Corrective Work Order: picking up litter in public, sometimes at hotspots where everyone can see you [3]. NEA uses cameras with video analytics at hotspots, and displays images of egregious offenders in community spaces [3].

High-rise littering, meaning throwing anything from a flat, carries court fines of up to SGD 2,000 for a first conviction (about £1,160), SGD 4,000 for a second and SGD 10,000 (about £5,800) after that [3]. Since 1 July 2023 the registered owner, or the tenant if the whole flat is let, is presumed responsible when litter lands from their flat [3]. Mind the cigarette ends on the balcony.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in a long list of places: the Orchard Road No Smoking Zone, all parks and nature reserves, reservoirs, recreational beaches and housing-estate parks [6][7]. Smoke only where you see a designated smoking area. When the ban was extended to more parks and beaches in 2022, NEA said offenders could face a SGD 200 composition fine (about £116) [6]. You must also be 21 or over to buy or use tobacco [1].

Jaywalking, drinking and the rest

Jaywalking

If there's a zebra crossing, signalised crossing, footbridge or underpass within 50 m, you must use it. In July 2026 the Traffic Police fined 10 pedestrians SGD 50 each in one operation outside Boon Keng MRT, according to The Straits Times, which also reported that 1,421 people were caught jaywalking in 2025 [4]. We couldn't find the fine on an official page, and repeat offenders can end up in court. Fifty dollars is less painful than a vape fine, but it's a daft way to start your day.

Drinking

Drinking in public is illegal between 10.30pm and 7am, except in restaurants, bars and licensed venues [1]. Geylang and Little India are Liquor Control Zones with no public drinking all weekend, on public holidays and the evenings before [1]. Drunk and disorderly behaviour, fighting and inappropriate touching can all lead to arrest [1]. Fancy a pint? Have it at the bar.

Things you might not think of

• Outrage of modesty. Any act that could be seen as molestation can bring fines, prison and caning; the FCDO also reports scams built on false claims [1].
• Protests. Foreigners who aren't PRs can't attend outdoor demonstrations, even permitted ones [1].
• Flags. Flying another country's flag in public is illegal without an exemption [1]. Save the St George's Cross for indoors during the footie.
• Vandalism can mean prison and caning [1].

Chewing gum: the myth and the reality

Every Brit has heard the gum story. The truth is narrower. Under the Sale of Food (Prohibition of Chewing Gum) Regulations, selling or advertising chewing gum is banned, with a fine of up to SGD 2,000 on conviction [5]. Gum registered as a health product, such as nicotine gum, is exempt [5]. Chewing it isn't an offence, but spitting it on the pavement counts as littering [3]. Customs rules on importing gum also apply, so don't arrive with a multipack in your hand luggage.

If it goes wrong

The FCDO travel advice for Singapore was still current at 6 November 2026 when we checked on 7 November 2026, and had last been updated on 19 March 2026 [1]. If you're arrested, ask for the British High Commission to be told. Our guide to consular help from the FCDO explains what it can and can't do; it can't get you out of a fine or a sentence. For driving offences, see driving and getting around Singapore.

For a reality check on how strictly these are enforced, our community group for Brits in Singapore is full of people who've learned the hard way so you don't have to.

Sources

1. GOV.UK (FCDO): Singapore travel advice (still current at 6 November 2026, updated 19 March 2026), including safety and security and entry requirements
2. Ministry of Health: Whole-of-government efforts to tackle vaping (28 August 2025)
3. National Environment Agency: Public cleanliness overview (checked 7 November 2026)
4. The Straits Times: 10 jaywalkers fined $50 each in Traffic Police ops near Boon Keng MRT (18 July 2026)
5. Singapore Statutes Online: Sale of Food (Prohibition of Chewing Gum) Regulations (current version at 6 November 2026)
6. National Environment Agency: Enforcement against smoking at newly prohibited places from 1 October 2022 (29 September 2022, an older source)
7. National Environment Agency: Smoking prohibition overview (checked 7 November 2026)

Keep reading

• Hawker centres, Singlish and local life
• Moving to Singapore as a Brit: visa and residence routes
• Nightlife in Singapore
• Consular help from the FCDO