There has been a significant surge in the number of students caught possessing or using e-vaporisers, reflecting growing health concerns and enforcement actions. According to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, 2024 saw 2,000 reported cases among students, including those from institutes of higher learning. This marks a stark increase from 800 cases reported in 2022 and 900 cases reported last year.
The alarming uptick has been largely attributed to intensified enforcement efforts by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), coupled with awareness initiatives from the Ministry of Education. Ong elaborated on these efforts during his parliamentary statement on February 26, emphasizing the commitment to address the issue head-on.
"The numbers over the past three years had risen due to a ramp-up of enforcement efforts by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) together with the Ministry of Education," stated Ong. The swift increase from fewer than 50 cases reported before 2020 speaks volumes about the changing dynamics surrounding vaping among students.
Notably, Ong pointed out the concerning fact—13% of the 2024 cases involved students who had previously reoffended within the same year. This statistic highlights the challenges educators and health officials face as they strive to mitigate the appeal of vaping to youth.
Further compounding the situation, Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman remarked on the history of the enforcement actions. "Fewer than 50 students, including those from institutes of higher learning, were referred to HSA for vaping offences before 2020," he stated, reinforcing the stark rise observed since then.
Recognizing the urgency at hand, the Health Promotion Board is now stepping up its initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles among youth. These measures include developing campaigns to educate students on the benefits of maintaining a nicotine-free existence and introducing vaping cessation programs. "Concurrently, the Health Promotion Board will ramp up its initiatives to educate and counsel youth and students on the benefits of a nicotine-free lifestyle," Ong noted.
Despite these efforts, the penal consequences for those caught with e-vaporisers remain severe. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, individuals found buying, using, or possessing such products can incur fines as steep as $2,000. Such stringent measures, coupled with educational outreach, indicate the multidimensional approach being taken to combat the rising trend of vaping among students.
The simultaneous rise and potential normalizing of e-vaporiser use raise significant public health concerns. Experts warn about the impact of nicotine and other chemicals found in e-cigarettes on young, developing brains. The situation necessitates comprehensive policies and continued community engagement to navigate the challenges presented by these trends.
Overall, the rise of e-vaporiser usage among Singapore's students serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying cry for all stakeholders involved—from parents to educational institutions—to be proactive and vigilant. The interventions proposed aim to not only address the immediate issues but also establish healthier habits for the next generation.