Measures to Curb Rise in Vaping

24 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health what measures have been put in place by the Government to curb the rise in illegal vaping in Singapore.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health (MOH) takes a multi-pronged approach to curb the illicit sales and use of e-vaporisers.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) monitors illicit sales of e-vaporisers via social media and messaging platforms and regularly carries out operations to target sales of e-cigarettes on these platforms. HSA also collaborates with platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Carousell to remove postings on the illegal sales of such products. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) assists to detect illegal imports of e-vaporisers at the checkpoints and refers them to HSA for enforcement.

The enforcement activities are complemented by public education efforts by HSA to deter the public from vaping. In schools, MOH and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) work with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to raise awareness on the harms of vaping and encourage children and youths to lead a nicotine-free lifestyle. Schools take a serious view of vaping and school-based disciplinary action is also taken for students caught using or possessing e-vaporisers, including suspension or caning for boys.

HPB will also be launching a digital campaign on staying vape-free in early 2023 to raise awareness on the negative health effects of vaping and address the misconceptions around vaping.