Reporting of Passengers Who Vape by Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers

20 Ms See Jinli Jean asked the Minister for Health (a) how may taxi and private hire vehicle drivers report vaping in their vehicles by passengers; and (b) what workplace protection will the Ministry avail to such drivers in order to alleviate worries about negative repercussion or penalty on their livelihoods.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: We have addressed similar questions at the previous Sitting and the answer has been provided in the written answers for Question Nos 33 and 34 for the 6 August 2024 Sitting. [Please refer to "Vaping in Private Hire Cars and Measures to Protect Drivers Reporting Such Incidents", Official Report, 6 August 2024, Vol 95, Issue 138, Written Answers to Questions section.]

Nevertheless, for completeness, I will provide a reply to this question today.

While it is not mandatory for the taxi and private hire car drivers to report vaping by passengers, they may do so to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) via its hotlines.

The identities of persons who report these cases to HSA are kept confidential by HSA. Drivers will also not be penalised for passengers vaping in their vehicles. If passengers retaliate or are uncooperative, drivers can seek help from the relevant authorities, such as the Singapore Police Force, where appropriate.