SINGAPORE: The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is reviewing legal penalties to strengthen deterrence against the advertising, importation and distribution of e-vaporisers, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rahayu Mahzam on Wednesday (May 8).
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Rahayu said HSA has been monitoring illicit sales of e-vaporisers on social media, e-commerce and messaging platforms, as well as carrying out operations to remove e-vaporiser content. It is trying to expand its efforts, she added.
She was responding to a question from MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (PAP-Choa Chu Kang), who had asked what strategies are in place to engage social media platforms and advertising on social media to raise awareness about the harms of vaping and to discourage the use of vapes among youths.
In her reply, Ms Rahayu also responded to written questions from MP Wan Rizal (PAP-Jalan Besar).
Singapore authorities handled around 8,000 vaping-related offences last year, representing a 43 per cent jump from the 5,600 similar offences recorded in 2022. A total of 7,600 offences were recorded in 2021.
Vaping is illegal in Singapore and offenders can be fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,478) for the possession, use and purchase of vapes.
Those who import, distribute or sell such products face stiffer penalties, including a higher fine and a possible jail term.
Currently, the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act prohibits advertisement of e-vaporisers. However, like all domestic laws, the Act applies to vaping-related content published in Singapore and by Singapore-connected persons or entities, she said.
“The internet and social media is a global ecosystem, and having domestic laws that ban harmful content or advertisements does not mean these materials would not come from a foreign source or a foreign influencer,” Ms Rahayu added.
She added that authorities are “not without agency” and elaborated on a number of measures in place.
