By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Singapore’s rules are strict but few, and most visitors break none of them. The ones that actually catch tourists are these: carrying a vape (S$700 fine), eating or drinking on the MRT (up to S$500), littering, smoking outside a marked smoking area, bringing in chewing gum or undeclared cigarettes, and drinking in public late at night. Drug offences are in a different league entirely.
The city’s reputation as a “fine city” is half joke, half truth. The truth is that the rules exist to keep a crowded island clean and calm, and they are enforced. The joke is that you will barely notice them if you do what the locals do. Here are the rules worth knowing, with the penalties.
Singapore laws for visitors: quick reference
| Rule | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Possessing or using a vape or e-cigarette | Device seized and a S$700 fine for adults; repeat offenders on a visit pass can be barred from returning |
| Eating or drinking on the MRT or in stations | Fine of up to S$500 |
| Littering | Court fine of up to S$2,000 for a first conviction, plus up to 12 hours of corrective work cleaning public areas |
| Smoking outside a designated smoking area | A fine, and up to S$1,000 if the case goes to court |
| Bringing in cigarettes without declaring them | Seizure and fines; there is no duty-free allowance on tobacco |
| Importing chewing gum | Banned since 1992, except approved dental and nicotine gum |
| Drinking alcohol in a public place from 10.30pm to 7am | An offence; stricter still in Little India and Geylang |
| Drug offences | Among the harshest penalties in the world, including the death penalty for trafficking set quantities |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Cost of compliance | Nothing, beyond finishing your coffee before the MRT gantry. |
| What you get | One of the cleanest, safest big cities in the world. |
| The real risk | Vapes and anything drug-related. Everything else is a fine. |
| Worth remembering | Bin it, finish it, declare it, and leave the vape at home. |
| Don’t worry about | The internet’s “weird laws” lists. Behave as you would at home and you will be fine. |
Vapes: the rule that catches the most visitors
E-cigarettes and vapes are banned in Singapore: buying, owning and using them. Since 1 September 2025, a visitor caught with one has it seized and pays a S$700 fine, and short-term visitors who reoffend can be barred from coming back. Vapes laced with etomidate, known locally as Kpods, are now treated as drugs, with far heavier consequences.
Changi Airport has disposal bins for arriving and transit passengers. If you vape, use one before immigration, not after.
On the MRT and buses
No eating or drinking on trains or in stations, not even water, with fines of up to S$500. Durians are not allowed on board; the smell is the reason. In September 2026, the Land Transport Authority extended similar rules to public buses: eating on board or putting your feet on the seats can now bring a penalty, and soiling a bus can cost up to S$5,000.
None of this is hard to follow. Finish your drink before the gantry and keep your shoes off the seats.
Littering and smoking
Littering is prosecuted, and a first conviction can bring a court fine of up to S$2,000, with repeat offenders paying far more. The court can also order offenders to spend hours cleaning public areas. That includes cigarette butts.
Smoking is banned indoors in public places and in many outdoor ones: bus stops, parks, covered walkways and near building entrances. Look for the yellow-marked smoking areas, and bin your butts there.
What you cannot bring in
Chewing gum. Its import and sale have been banned since 1992, with narrow exceptions for dental and nicotine gum. The law targets importing and selling, not chewing, but you cannot buy it here, so leave it at home.
Cigarettes. There is no duty-free allowance. Declare every pack and pay the duty and GST.
Anything drug-related. This includes vapes containing controlled substances. Do not carry anything for anyone else.
The full arrival checklist is in SG Arrival Card and Singapore Entry Requirements.
Drinking late
Shops stop selling alcohol at 10.30pm, and drinking in public places is banned from 10.30pm to 7am. Bars, restaurants and licensed venues can serve later. Little India and Geylang are Liquor Control Zones with stricter rules on weekends and public holidays. Singapore’s alcohol taxes are high; Why Drinks Cost So Much in Singapore explains the bill.
Wildlife and nature reserves
Do not feed the monkeys at Bukit Timah or MacRitchie, the otters along the river, or any other wild animal. Feeding wildlife without permission is an offence under the Wildlife Act, with heavy fines. Keep food out of sight on trails; the monkeys know what a plastic bag is.
Everyday courtesy that is not law, but matters
Queue, and do not push onto the train before people step off. Cross at crossings and wait for the green man. Cover shoulders and knees at temples and mosques, and remove your shoes where others have. Return your tray at hawker centres. None of these will cost you money; all of them will win you smiles.
Singapore laws for tourists: FAQ
Is chewing gum illegal in Singapore?
Importing and selling it is banned, except approved dental and nicotine gum. Chewing it is not an offence, but you should not bring any in.
Can tourists vape in Singapore?
No. Vapes are banned for everyone. Visitors caught with one have it seized and pay a S$700 fine, and repeat offenders can be barred from returning.
Can I drink water on the MRT?
No. Eating and drinking, including water, are banned on trains and in stations, with fines of up to S$500.
What is the fine for littering in Singapore?
On conviction, up to S$2,000 for a first offence, plus possible corrective work. Repeat offenders face up to S$10,000.
Can I drink alcohol in public in Singapore?
Not between 10.30pm and 7am, when public drinking is banned. Shops also stop selling alcohol at 10.30pm.
Read next
This page belongs to Visiting Singapore, our guide for first-time visitors. For the trains these rules apply to, read Getting Around Singapore. For the hawker centres where you will return your tray, see What to Eat in Singapore.
Also on WahLiao: Nature Reserve Rules in Singapore · Otters, Monkeys and Wild Boars · Is Singapore Safe?
Sources checked 28 September 2026: Baker McKenzie on the vaping rules from 1 September 2025; National Environment Agency on littering penalties; The Star (AFP) on the new bus rules, 23 September 2026; Singapore Customs, duty-free concession and GST relief; Silverdoor on the MRT, smoking and chewing gum rules; A Dash of Singapore on alcohol hours and wildlife feeding. This page is general information, not legal advice. Last updated 28 September 2026.
