Debated in Parliament on 7 Mar 2022.
Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the statistics for 2021 shows an increasing trend in the number of people using vaporisers; and (b) amongst the users which consist of school-going youths and children, which age group and education level saw the highest number of vaporiser users.
Currently, there is no available local data on the use of vaporisers as these are illegal products and reliable self-reported data is difficult to obtain. However, in 2021, there were 7,593 offenders, across all ages, caught for import of vaporisers, compared to 6,192 in 2020. Similarly, in 2021, there were a total of 4,697 offenders caught for purchase, use or possession of vaporisers, of which about one-third were under-18, compared to a total of 1,266 offenders in 2020.
While data on number of offenders may not represent the total number of users, the trend does suggest a general increase in use of vaporisers in Singapore.
This worrying trend of increased vaping is also observed internationally. In response, MOH will work together with relevant partners and stakeholders to strengthen enforcement measures, as well as enhance public education efforts. The Health Promotion Board will also roll out a vape-free campaign later in 2022 targeted at youths and younger adults through popular digital platforms.
Order. End of Question Time.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix, unless Members had asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn.]
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