Forum: Look at new ways to tackle the growing problem of vaping
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I am heartened to see the authorities taking a stronger stance against vaping, as well as the recent reporting by The Straits Times to shed light on this growing problem.
Given that a significant proportion of vapers are students, schools and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) should be considered key sites for early detection. There are already air quality sensors on the market that can detect substances such as tetrahydrocannabinol or THC and nicotine. Could these be deployed in school washrooms and stairwells to serve both as deterrents and detection systems? Could they also be further developed to detect other psychoactive substances like etomidate?
In addition, drawing from our Covid-19 experience, should we consider implementing wastewater testing in schools and IHLs? Etomidate, for instance, is primarily excreted in urine. Its metabolites could potentially be detected in wastewater, offering another avenue for early intervention.
Vaping is becoming an increasingly challenging problem and requires multipronged approaches and innovative methods to tackle it. Those who manufacture and sell these vapes are becoming more sophisticated in avoiding detection. We must stay one step ahead.
Ryan Loke Rui Heng
