S’pore starts Stop Vaping microsite; Ong Ye Kung thanks influencers for taking stand against habit
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The new microsite makes clear that the Government takes a zero-tolerance stance on vaping, urging users to bin their devices and quit immediately.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Follow topic:
- The Singapore Government started an anti-vaping page on Gov.sg a day after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech, highlighting vaping as a public health threat and urging users to quit.
- Enforcement will increase nationwide, and supervision will be provided to those addicted to vaping. Voluntary disposal of vapes has no penalties for now.
- Health Minister Ong Ye Kung thanked influencers, like Mr Kao Rong Sheng, who goes by Runner Kao online, for speaking out against vaping and protecting young Singaporeans.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – An anti-vaping microsite was rolled out on Gov.sg a day after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his National Day Rally speech
Titled Stop Vaping
It called vaping a public health threat, and features information on the harms of vaping as well as resources, helplines and reporting avenues.
It makes clear the Government takes a zero-tolerance stance on vaping, urging users to bin their devices and quit immediately.
New anti-vaping posters uploaded on the Stop Vaping page have also been spotted at community areas such as estate void decks and lift landings, assuring the public there will be no penalties for those who dispose of their vapes.
Vaping has been banned here since 2018, and those found possessing, using or buying vapes can be fined up to $2,000.
Those found possessing, importing or selling Kpods – etomidate-laced vapes – can be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to two years.
But the authorities are working to change the laws and list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class C drug.
This will pave the way for stiffer penalties such as jail time.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to do this soon as an interim measure while the Ministry of Health continues to study further legislative action.
On Aug 17, PM Wong had said the Government will take much tougher action against vaping
He noted that even though vaping is banned here, people have been smuggling vapes in and finding ways to get around the law.
Many of these vapes are laced with harmful substances like etomidate, he added.
Such vapes make up about a third of the devices seized here.
Said PM Wong: “We will step up nationwide enforcement. And we will mount a major public education drive – starting in schools and the institutes of higher learning, and also during national service.”
He added that vape addicts will undergo supervision and rehabilitation to help them quit.
Separately on Aug 19, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung posted a video thanking influencers and content creators for using their platforms to speak up against vaping in recent weeks.
He said: “You used stories, facts, your own voice to protect young Singaporeans.
“This is not a campaign, but a community coming together, ground-up, taking a stand against vaping because we know, we’ve witnessed, or we’ve seen first-hand how vaping and etomidate have affected and harmed our young people.”
Featured in the video was content from The Straits Times produced as part of its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, which was launched on July 13.
It also featured content from Mr Kao Rong Sheng, who goes by Runner Kao online.
Mr Kao, 42, is a social worker-turned-content creator who has posted more than a dozen videos on vaping in the past four months.
This came after more and more students alerted him to the vaping threat.
He said: “As an influencer, these kids see me as a big brother or father figure they can talk to about things they wouldn’t talk to other adults about.
“Some are on the fence about whether to try vaping and Kpods, and I always provide a lot of advice in a lighthearted and humorous way on why they shouldn’t.”
The father of two children in primary school said he makes his content on vaping to protect future generations.
He added that parents have approached him in public to thank him for spreading awareness, and he has seen people vaping hiding their devices and running away when they spot him.
Mr Kao hopes more will be done to shape the perception of vaping among the young.
He said: “If you just tell the youth ‘no’, they are not going to listen. Everyone already knows vaping is harmful.
“It’s the perception that it is cool to vape that is the problem.
“But if you speak their language, telling them in a humorous way that vaping is actually disgusting, they will laugh and be more receptive (towards the message).”
The public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch on 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.
If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@sph.com.sg
