'Energy stick' inhalers marketed at youth raise concerns

Experts flag possible long-term health damage; MOH, HSA monitoring situation

- Sarah Koh and David Sun

People who use "energy stick" inhalers can progress to smoking and vaping, and may also suffer from respiratory problems and long-term health damage, said healthcare experts.

The inhalers - about the size of a matchbox are slowly finding their way into the hands of young people, largely due to social media marketing tactics aimed at youth and students.

Similar in appearance to illegal evaporisers, they come in flavours like watermelon, mango and grape, and feature two prongs that users insert into their nostrils for them to take a whiff. The prongs house two porous strips soaked in liquid.

The flavoured additives found in these nasal inhalers are added to the product and marketed as "healthier" and "more natural", but there are limited studies to back these claims, said Dr Sewa Duu Wen, head and senior consultant of respiratory and critical care medicine at Singapore General Hospital.

"In fact, there is broad literature suggesting some of these flavouring compounds contribute to airway toxicity, impaired respiratory immune cell function and cause cellular damage," he said.

He added that while these flavours are not addictive, their use in other products like cigarettes and vaping products has been linked to increased use by adolescents, and may pose uncertain long-term health hazards.