Measures to Curb Vaping in Schools and Reduce Availability of E-vaporisers
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns additional measures to curb vaping among youths in schools and the effectiveness of current enforcement strategies against e-vaporisers. Dr Wan Rizal enquired about inter-agency collaborations, efforts to reduce online availability, and recidivism rates among individuals previously penalised for vaping offences. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung highlighted stepped-up enforcement at checkpoints and major events, alongside streamlined processes allowing various agencies to issue on-the-spot digital notices. He reported that the Health Sciences Authority removed approximately 6,000 online listings in early 2024 and noted that 15% of penalised individuals were repeat offenders. Educational initiatives will be enhanced through collaboration with schools and Institutes of Higher Learning to inform the public about the severe harms of vaping.
Transcript
16 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health in view of the recent increase in number of individuals caught and fined for possessing or using e-vaporisers, especially among youths, what additional preventive, educational and enforcement measures are being planned or implemented in collaboration with agencies like the Ministry of Education and the Health Promotion Board to curb vaping in schools and institutes of higher learning.
17 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health (a) how effective are current enforcement strategies in reducing the availability and use of e-vaporisers, including their online availability; and (b) whether the Ministry can provide updated statistics on recidivism rates among individuals previously penalised for vaping offences.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Various agencies, led by the Ministry of Health (MOH), have been working together to improve effectiveness of enforcement against vaping. We stepped up enforcement operations at the land, sea and air checkpoints, heartland areas, malls and central business district as well as at major events, such as the Formula 1 race, National Day Parade and music festivals. We also streamlined the processes, so that enforcement officers from the Singapore Police Force, National Environment Agency or National Parks Board can issue digital Notices of Composition on the spot to vaping offenders.
At the same time, the Health Sciences Authority has stepped up enforcement against online advertisements and sales of e-vaporisers and has worked with platform owners to remove about 6,000 offending listings in the first three quarters of 2024. In 2023, a total of about 3,000 listings were removed.
Among those penalised for vaping-related offences, about 15% were repeat offenders.
Enforcement against vaping is a long-term effort. Many studies have shown that vaping is at least as harmful, if not more harmful, than cigarette smoking. Yet, we are fighting against an industry that is deliberately targeting young people, disguising harmful substance as cool lifestyle habit with a fruity taste. We will need more effective public education efforts, to inform the public of the harms of vaping. This would include working closely with the Ministry of Education, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning.