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S’pore Man Borrows $30,000 to Fund Zombie Vaping Habit, Leaves Parents with Debt
A troubling case involving a Singaporean man addicted to “zombie vape” has surfaced, highlighting the growing concern over e-cigarette abuse and its devastating impact on families. The man, in his twenties, reportedly fell deep into addiction, leading him to borrow more than S$30,000 from moneylenders to fuel his habit—leaving his parents to shoulder the financial consequences.
According to a Shin Min Daily News report, the man’s father, who declined to be named, shared the heartbreaking ordeal in hopes of warning others about the dangers of vaping, particularly with unregulated substances such as “zombie vape”. Initially a healthy and strong young man, his son’s health rapidly deteriorated within a year of using e-cigarettes. His appearance turned pale and gaunt, he developed trembling hands, vacant stares, and difficulty walking without support.
Despite attending counselling sessions and making repeated promises to quit, the son continued using, eventually losing jobs at three to four companies. With no income and mounting expenses, he resorted to taking loans, racking up debts with amounts typically around S$2,500 per loan. The father, devastated but determined to help, used up family savings to repay most of the debt.
Family Under Siege from Addiction and Threats
The situation took a darker turn when the son, unable to repay debts for vapes, was physically assaulted by sellers. In one instance, he was threatened by individuals who took photos of their home and demanded repayment or forced labour as compensation—raising concerns of illegal enforcement tactics bordering on criminal intimidation.
Trying to intervene, the father even quit his job to monitor his son full-time for a month. Unfortunately, his efforts did not succeed. Once the father resumed work, the son relapsed, acquiring more vapes behind their backs. In a single month, the father confiscated more than 20 vaping devices of various shapes and colours from his son’s room and person.
Despite their struggle, the parents feel trapped—afraid to report to authorities out of fear their son would be fined, leaving them to foot the bill yet again.
HSA Crackdown on E-Cigarette Abuse
Their experience is not unique. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) reported over 2,500 public complaints regarding illegal vaping in the first half of 2025 alone—nearing last year’s total of 3,000. Responding to the surge, the HSA extended its vape reporting hotline hours and launched an online submission portal to encourage public cooperation.
In recent enforcement actions, teenagers as young as 16 were caught with vape cartridges containing etomidate, a potent sedative. In another high-profile case, a 21-year-old was charged after being caught with nearly 3 tonnes of illegal vape products, thanks to public tip-offs and social media monitoring.
Authorities continue to urge the public to report vaping-related offences and provide clear evidence such as photos, videos, and detailed descriptions of incidents, to help them curb this worrying trend.
A Cry for Stronger Laws and Public Awareness
The father pleads for stricter enforcement and for laws that hold both sellers and buyers equally accountable. “These zombie vapes are destroying families. If I knew who was selling to my son, I’d report them without hesitation,” he said.
This harrowing story sheds light on the human cost of illegal vaping in Singapore and underlines the urgent need for greater public education, support for affected families, and rigorous enforcement against suppliers feeding this growing epidemic.
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