Groups Exempted from Caning for Vaping-related Trafficking Offences

Debated in Parliament on 4 Nov 2025.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The debate focused on the introduction of caning for vaping-related trafficking offences and potential exemptions for certain demographic groups.
Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about whether juveniles, women, and the elderly would be exempt from caning and the risk of criminal syndicates exploiting these groups.
K Shanmugam clarified that caning applies to trafficking of controlled drugs, but not to e-vaporisers without controlled substances, and outlined existing exemptions under the Criminal Procedure Code.
He noted that while certain groups are exempt from caning, courts can impose additional imprisonment terms to maintain deterrence.
The discussion highlighted the challenges of preventing criminal exploitation of vulnerable groups in trafficking activities.

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Yip Hon Weng

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs in respect of the introduction of caning for vaping-related trafficking offences (a) whether there are any demographic groups, such as juveniles, women or elderly persons, who will be legally exempt from caning under this regime; and (b) what is the Ministry's risk assessment that criminal syndicates will exploit such exempt groups for recruitment as mules.

K Shanmugam

Caning is applicable for the trafficking of controlled drugs listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act, regardless of how the drug is trafficked. Importation or sale of e-vaporisers does not attract caning if there is no controlled drug involved.

Under section 325 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), men who are more than 50 years of age and women are exempted from caning. Juveniles who are sentenced to imprisonment are liable for caning, subject to specific provisions in the CPC.

Criminal syndicates will indeed exploit anyone willing to further their criminal enterprise. For offenders who are exempt from caning, the CPC empowers the Courts to impose an additional imprisonment term of up to 12 months to ensure that the overall sentence is still sufficiently punitive and deterrent.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The debate focused on the introduction of caning for vaping-related trafficking offences and potential exemptions for certain demographic groups.
Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about whether juveniles, women, and the elderly would be exempt from caning and the risk of criminal syndicates exploiting these groups.
K Shanmugam clarified that caning applies to trafficking of controlled drugs, but not to e-vaporisers without controlled substances, and outlined existing exemptions under the Criminal Procedure Code.
He noted that while certain groups are exempt from caning, courts can impose additional imprisonment terms to maintain deterrence.
The discussion highlighted the challenges of preventing criminal exploitation of vulnerable groups in trafficking activities.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Groups Exempted from Caning for Vaping-related Trafficking Offences | PAPERCUTS

Groups Exempted from Caning for Vaping-related Trafficking Offences

Debated in Parliament on 4 Nov 2025.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The debate focused on the introduction of caning for vaping-related trafficking offences and potential exemptions for certain demographic groups.
Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about whether juveniles, women, and the elderly would be exempt from caning and the risk of criminal syndicates exploiting these groups.
K Shanmugam clarified that caning applies to trafficking of controlled drugs, but not to e-vaporisers without controlled substances, and outlined existing exemptions under the Criminal Procedure Code.
He noted that while certain groups are exempt from caning, courts can impose additional imprisonment terms to maintain deterrence.
The discussion highlighted the challenges of preventing criminal exploitation of vulnerable groups in trafficking activities.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Yip Hon Weng

K Shanmugam

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The debate focused on the introduction of caning for vaping-related trafficking offences and potential exemptions for certain demographic groups.
Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about whether juveniles, women, and the elderly would be exempt from caning and the risk of criminal syndicates exploiting these groups.
K Shanmugam clarified that caning applies to trafficking of controlled drugs, but not to e-vaporisers without controlled substances, and outlined existing exemptions under the Criminal Procedure Code.
He noted that while certain groups are exempt from caning, courts can impose additional imprisonment terms to maintain deterrence.
The discussion highlighted the challenges of preventing criminal exploitation of vulnerable groups in trafficking activities.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Groups Exempted from Caning for Vaping-related Trafficking Offences

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Yip Hon Weng

K Shanmugam

Summary

Questions Identified

Groups Exempted from Caning for Vaping-related Trafficking Offences

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Yip Hon Weng

K Shanmugam

Summary

Questions Identified