S'pore's tough stance on vapes draws mixed response overseas

Some urge their lawmakers to follow suit; others elsewhere take different approach

- David Sun

Countries where vapes are allowed are seeing a surge in youth vaping, with health experts calling for more to be done to deal with the problem.

Singapore's recent clampdown, however, has seen a mixed response from those overseas.

While health experts in Malaysia have lauded the move and urged lawmakers in the country to follow suit, a lobby group based in New Zealand has criticised it as "fear-mongering".

Singapore announced on Aug 17 that it would toughen its stance on vaping and treat it as a drug issue.

It then implemented stricter measures from Sept 1, with higher fines for abusers and harsher penalties for suppliers.

Anaesthetic agent etomidate, which is being abused through vapes known as Kpods, has also been classified as a Class C drug.

Health experts and activists in Malaysia have called on the local authorities to look into taking a similar stance to Singapore's.

A survey by the Consumers' Association of Penang found that the number of cigarette smokers in Malaysia was decreasing, but the use of vapes among students and young people was increasing daily.

The association called for a total ban on vaping in Malaysia, citing public health concerns.