Efforts to Prevent E-Cigarettes From Flowing into Singapore and Educating the Public on its Dangers

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1139
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 MAY 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye
MP for Radin Mas SMC

Question No. 2874

To ask the Minister for Health as the land border with Malaysia fully reopens (a) what is being done to prevent e-cigarettes from flowing into Singapore through small hobbyist shops located in Johor Bahru; and (b) what more can be done to educate Singaporeans about the dangers of using e-cigarettes.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1139
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 MAY 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 1760

To ask the Minister for Health (a) since January 2022, how many persons have been caught having e-cigarettes and related accessories in their possession when clearing customs in Singapore at the Causeway checkpoints; and (b) what measures will the Ministry take to increase detection and prevent such imitation tobacco products from being brought into Singapore.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1125
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 MAY 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 1757

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what percentage of the participants of the smoking cessation programmes are able to successfully quit smoking; (b) whether these programmes have the long-term goal of encouraging smokers and vapers to adopt healthier coping methods; and (c) whether there are penalties for those who have been vaping illegally but wish to seek professional help to quit.

Answer

This will also address Written Question Nos. 29 & 30 asked by Mr Yip Hon Weng[1][2] for the sitting on 9 May 2022.

The Ministry of Health takes a multi-pronged approach to curb the use of tobacco products (including vaporisers, or e-cigarettes) in various settings.

At the checkpoints, ICA deploys a variety of technologies to detect contraband items, including radiographic scanners, x-ray machines, and hand-held screening devices, to ensure that all goods that enter Singapore are lawful and legitimate. ICA also conducts pre-arrival risk assessments and profiling to aid the detection of contraband items. When suspicious items are detected, ICA ground officers will refer the passenger and/or vehicle for further checks. Any prohibited or controlled items detected will be referred to the appropriate regulatory authority (e.g. HSA for e-cigarettes/vaporisers) for follow-up investigation. From 1 January 2022 to mid-Apr 2022, close to 300 persons have been caught for importation of vaporisers and related components at the Causeway checkpoints. While the opening of borders does pose a risk of increased illicit smuggling of vaporisers, these products can also be sourced via e-commerce, and enter Singapore via mail packages even when borders are closed.

To address the use of vaporisers, within Singapore, we work with various partners and stakeholders to strengthen enforcement measures and public education efforts. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) will roll out a vape-free campaign later in 2022 targeted at youths and younger adults through popular digital platforms, to communicate that vaping is harmful and illegal, and penalties will apply for offences related to prohibited tobacco products such as vaporisers.

Smoking cessation efforts are also in place to support those who wish to quit. Under the I Quit Programme run by the HPB, participants are supported for up to 6 months to quit smoking.  Participants may also join I Quit repeatedly as some require multiple attempts before quitting successfully, due to the addictive nature of nicotine. Individuals who wish to quit on their own can also tap on resources on HealthHub for tips on various coping methods, such as picking up new hobbies to relieve stress.

Local success rates for unique participants of smoking cessation programmes range from 10% per year for telephone-based interventions to 20% per year for programmes that combine intensive counselling and pharmacotherapy. This is comparable to international experience where reported rates of successful smoking cessation range from 7.5% - 20.1%.

Persons who wish to quit vaping will not be penalised when they come forward to seek professional help or participate in cessation programmes.

[1] To ask the Minister for Health (a) what percentage of the participants of the smoking cessation programmes are able to successfully quit smoking; (b) whether these programmes have the long-term goal of encouraging smokers and vapers to adopt healthier coping methods; and (c) whether there are penalties for those who have been vaping illegally but wish to seek professional help to quit.

[2] To ask the Minister for Health (a) since January 2022, how many persons have been caught having e-cigarettes and related accessories in their possession when clearing customs in Singapore at the Causeway checkpoints; and (b) what measures will the Ministry take to increase detection and prevent such imitation tobacco products from being brought into Singapore.