Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, those caught buying, using or possessing vaping products can be fined up to $2,000. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) received between 4,000 and 5,000 reports from the police regarding the possession or usage of e-vaporisers from 2023 to 2024.
One of them involved parents who brought their child to the police station for vaping, said Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam on March 3.
She was answering a parliamentary question from Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC), who asked about the number of parents who reported their children for vaping.
The case was referred to the HSA, and the child was fined S$300.
Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, those caught buying, using or possessing vaping products can be fined up to S$2,000.
While asking a supplementary question, Dr Tan said the parents who brought their child to the police were residents in his ward.
He said: “The parents were distressed and concerned that (this) approach, however well-meant by the agencies, might discourage parents from getting their children help.”
Dr Tan asked if the police will flag cases of parents reporting their children to the authorities to HSA, so they can receive the necessary help.
Referencing the same case, Ms Rahayu said: “In general, we do take a very nuanced approach in situations where (the individuals) want to stop vaping, and when the parents actually bring their child forward.”
The child was subsequently given an institutional warning and sent for counselling, after the case was reviewed.
Ms Rahayu advised parents who suspect their child of vaping to call the Health Promotion Board (HPB)‘s QuitLine on 1800-438-2000.
The QuitLine is part of HPB’s I Quit programme, which was launched in 2014 to help participants quit smoking. The programme also accepts participants who wish to stop vaping.
Programme participants will not be fined or prosecuted, unless they are caught using or in possession of e-vaporisers.
In 2024, there were 2,000 cases of students caught in possession of e-vaporisers, up from 900 in 2023.
There were 800 reported cases in 2022.
These statistics were given by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who gave a written parliamentary reply to Ms Rachel Ong (West Coast GRC).
Mr Ong said the rising numbers over the last three years are due to increased enforcement efforts by the HSA together with the Ministry of Education.
Among those caught in 2024, 13 per cent of the cases involved students who reoffended in the same year.
There were fewer than 50 students, including those from institutes of higher learning, who were referred to HSA for vaping offences before 2024.
HSA and the Ministry of Health are reviewing the penalties for possession or use of e-vaporisers, said Mr Ong.
“Concurrently, the Health Promotion Board will ramp up its initiatives to educate and counsel youth and students on the benefits of a nicotine-free lifestyle, as well as vaping cessation programmes,” he added.
In November 2024, The Straits Times reported that there were 9,680 people caught using or possessing vapes in the first nine months of the same year.
This is more than the 7,838 people caught in the whole of 2023. - The Straits Times/ANN
