HSA working with HK’s Department of Health to tackle vaping by exchanging enforcement ideas
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The MOU for cooperation in healthcare regulatory matters comes as Singapore and Hong Kong are each tackling the vaping scourge in their jurisdictions.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
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- Singapore and Hong Kong signed an MOU for cooperation in healthcare regulatory matters involving health products.
- The MOU comes as both Singapore and Hong Kong are facing an uptick in the number of vape users.
- Singapore is enhancing enforcement with designated bins and rehabilitation programmes; the public can report offences and seek help to quit vaping without penalty.
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SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is working with Hong Kong’s Department Of Health (DOH) to tackle vaping by exchanging information and expertise with each other.
In a statement on Aug 13, HSA said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the DOH for cooperation in healthcare regulatory matters involving health products.
This comes as Singapore and Hong Kong are each tackling the vaping scourge in their respective jurisdictions.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was among the officials who witnessed the MOU signing at the Ministry of Health, College of Medicine Building.
Mr Ong had said in July that Singapore was working to list etomidate, which is being abused via vapes, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
This paves the way for abusers and traffickers of Kpods – vapes containing etomidate – to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs, with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.
On Aug 13, HSA said the MOU includes technical cooperation and the exchange of information, best practices and expertise relating to healthcare regulatory matters involving health products.
These include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, advanced therapy products and traditional medicines.
HSA said: “The agreement also facilitates the sharing of regulatory information and enforcement approaches towards tobacco products and vaping devices.”
The MOU will enable the exchange of regulatory experts and staff, participation in meetings and scientific conferences, and collaboration in training courses and joint projects.
HSA chief executive officer, Adjunct Professor (Dr) Raymond Chua, said: “This partnership represents a significant step forward in regulatory cooperation between Singapore and Hong Kong.
“By combining our expertise and sharing best practices, we can better tackle the emerging challenges in healthcare regulation, harness opportunities and strengthen public health protection in both jurisdictions.”
Also on Aug 13, The Straits Times reported that HSA had recently advertised job openings
Singapore and Hong Kong are both grappling with a vape scourge involving e-vaporisers laced with etomidate, a controlled anaesthetic meant only for use in medical procedures.
In Hong Kong, the drug was first marketed as space oil
Its government referred to it as “space oil drug” in February, after the authorities recognised the severity of the problem when several addicts died, and children as young as nine years old were taking the substance.
On July 31, the government renamed the problem “etomidate” to eradicate the positive misconceptions of the drug.
Hong Kong will ban the possession and use of vapes in public by mid-2026.
Meanwhile, Singapore has ramped up efforts to tackle vapes and Kpods.
The anti-vaping blitz here has extended to areas near schools, with enforcement officers conducting checks outside institutes of higher learning.
On July 25, the Ministry of Health, HSA and the People’s Association launched the “Bin The Vape” initiative.
This allows members of the public to throw away vapes in bins installed within community centres and universities around Singapore without fear of punishment.
On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said his ministry will second its officers to HSA.
Aside from enforcement, they will also help in the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of abusers.
The public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, or online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
Those who need help to quit vaping can join the Health Promotion Board’s I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000.
The authorities have said those who voluntarily seek support to quit vaping will not face any penalties for doing so.
