Police alerted HSA to over 4,000 vaping cases in 2023-24

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) received between 4,000 and 5,000 reports from the police regarding the possession or usage of e-vaporisers from 2023 to 2024.

- Claudia Tan

One of them involved parents who brought their child to the police station for vaping, said Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam on March 3.

She was answering a parliamentary question from Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC), who asked about the number of parents who reported their children for vaping.

The case was referred to the HSA, and the child was fined $300.

Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, those caught buying, using or possessing vaping products can be fined up to $2,000.

While asking a supplementary question, Dr Tan said the parents who brought their child to the police were residents in his ward.

He said: "The parents were distressed and concerned that (this) approach, however well-meant by the agencies, might discourage parents from getting their children help."