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View all search resultsSingapore’s vaping restriction benefits tourism in Batam
As a border town, Batam is poised to reap benefits after Singapore banned vaping, driving Singaporeans in their hordes to enjoy the activity banned in their country, a Batam official said.
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A women checks her vaping pod after buying the e-liquid at Vape Kajay store in Jodoh, Batam city, Riau Islands, on Aug. 26, 2025. Batam is set to benefit after neighboring Singapore declared on Aug. 17, 2025, restrictions and bans on vaping. (JP/Fadli)
T
he Singaporean government’s restriction on vaping and treating it the same as drugs could be a potential boost for tourism in Batam city, which lies about 45 minutes to one hour by ferry from the island state.
As a border town, Batam could become an alternative place for Singaporeans to enjoy the activity banned in their own country, an official said.
Batam Tourism Agency head Ardiwinata told The Jakarta Post on Monday that every tight policy enacted by the Singaporean government would always push its citizens to look for a place with looser regulations.
“If there are strict regulations from the Singaporean government, the public will have alternatives to enjoy them, with Batam being one of those alternatives,” he said.
“As long as it does not violate our regulations, they can choose Batam.”
He compared the potential from banning vaping with previous regulations, which have been proven to be beneficial to Batam
The closure of several public golf courses in Singapore, for example, has made Batam a favorite destination for golfers. Similar things also happened to other sports, such as badminton, basketball and pickleball with courts in Batam flooded by Singaporean teams.
