Spike in inquiries on vaping cessation programmes

In the first two weeks since harsher punishments against vapes were announced, more users and their loved ones have asked the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for help.

- Christine Tan

There were over 60 inquiries about IMH’s vaping cessation programme within 13 days since the Government announced stricter penalties against vaping on Aug 28.

An IMH spokeswoman told The Straits Times this is triple what they received between July 1 and Aug 27.

Eight people have also joined IMH’s voluntary rehabilitation programme as at Sept 9.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) had said on Sept 8 that 17 people had contacted the five agencies under the national rehabilitation programme, QuitVape, for help to quit Kpod abuse between Sept 1 and Sept 7.

Tougher penalties for Kpod abusers, including heavier fines and mandatory rehabilitation, were announced on Aug 28 and kicked in on Sept 1.

Kpods are vapes laced with synthetic drugs like etomidate or ketamine. Etomidate, previously regulated under the Poisons Act, is now classified as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

IMH is one of the five agencies under the QuitVape programme for Kpod abuse.

Its spokeswoman said: “We are currently managing the rehabilitation programmes within our existing resources and are prepared for an increase in demand.”

The other agencies are We Care Community Services, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (Sana), Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THKMC) and Fei Yue Community Services.