S'pore Working With HK To Tackle Vaping By Exchanging Info, Expertise

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is working with Hong Kong's Department of Health (DOH) to tackle vaping by exchanging information and expertise with each other.

- Nadine Chua

In a statement on Aug 13, HSA said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the DOH for cooperation in healthcare regulatory matters involving health products.

This comes as Singapore and Hong Kong are each tackling the vaping scourge in their respective jurisdictions.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was among the officials who witnessed the MOU signing at the Ministry of Health, College of Medicine Building.

Mr Ong had said in July that Singapore was working to list etomidate, which is being abused via vapes, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

This paves the way for abusers and traffickers of Kpods—vapes containing etomidate—to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs, with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.

On Aug 13, HSA said the MOU includes technical cooperation and the exchange of information, best practices and expertise relating to healthcare regulatory matters involving health products.

HSA said: "The agreement also facilitates the sharing of regulatory information and enforcement approaches towards tobacco products and vaping devices."