Measures to Prevent Illegal Purchase of e-cigarettes and e-liquids and Studies on Youths' Views on Vaping and Awareness of Its Harmful Side Effects
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns measures to monitor illegal e-cigarette sales and studies on youth awareness regarding the harmful side effects of vaping. MP Christopher de Souza inquired about enforcement against online sales and surveys on youth perceptions. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung stated that the Health Sciences Authority conducted 201 operations against online sales between 2018 and 2021 and collaborates with platforms to remove illicit postings. He cited a 2019 survey showing low youth awareness of harmful chemicals, prompting educational collaborations between the Health Promotion Board and schools. Enforcement involves border interceptions, school-based disciplinary actions, and mandatory cessation programmes for students caught using vaporisers.
Transcript
20 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Health whether he can provide an update on what has been done to monitor and prevent the illegal purchase of e-cigarettes and e-liquids, especially through messaging apps and social media.
21 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Health whether there have been any studies done among the youths on their views on vaping and their awareness of the harmful side effects of vaping, such as lung injury, respiratory issues, nicotine addiction and second-hand e-cigarette vapour, such that the survey could also have the added benefit of deterring vaping among the youths.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has been monitoring and gathering intelligence on illicit sales of e-cigarettes via social media and messaging platforms, and from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021, has carried out 201 operations targeting sales of e-cigarettes on online platforms. HSA also collaborates with platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and Carousell, to remove postings on the illegal sales of such products. In 2021, 4,210 such postings were removed. Concurrently, the illegal importation of e-cigarettes is monitored at Singapore’s borders and intercepted as necessary to prevent entry of these e-cigarettes into the local market. These enforcement activities need to be complemented by public education efforts to deter the public, particularly youths, from vaping.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) had previously conducted a survey in 2019 which found that almost seven in 10 young people were not aware that e-cigarettes contained harmful chemicals.
To further increase awareness of the harms and effects of e-cigarettes, HPB works closely with MOE and the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to incorporate more information on the harms of vaping in the virtual assembly skits and talks organised for the students. Training is also conducted to equip educators to discuss the harms of vaping with their students.
When students are caught using or possessing e-cigarettes and other types of vaporisers, school-based disciplinary action is also taken. They are reported to HSA, which may fine recalcitrant offenders, and they are required to attend cessation programmes run by HPB. Students are guided by counsellors through their cessation journey to make long-term behavioural changes.
MOH, HSA and HPB will continue working together to enhance and expand the suite of existing measures to curb the supply and demand of e-cigarettes to protect the health of the population.