Group critical of S'pore's anti-vape policy denies links to tobacco firm

NZ-based vape advocacy group says it is not reliant on foreign funding or political agendas

- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof Senior Correspondent

A vape advocacy group critical of Singapore's anti-vaping policy has denied Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam’s claim that it is linked to a tobacco company.

The New Zealand-based Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (Caphra) said it is not a traditional nongovernmental organisation reliant on foreign funding or political agendas.

“We operate with full transparency, no bureaucracy and no financial ties - not even a bank account,” Caphra told The Sunday Times in response to queries sent to the group’s executive coordinator Nancy Loucas.

The group added that it is made up of volunteers.

“We are disheartened by Minister Shanmugam’s personal remarks, especially given his stated priority of safeguarding Singaporeans’ health,” it said.

“The rise of dangerous adulterated products is a direct outcome of prohibition.

“This mirrors experiences across Asia — India, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Australia — where bans on safer alternatives have driven consumers to unsafe underground markets rather than reducing harm.”

The group on Aug 18 described Singapore's anti-vaping policy and enhanced measures, which were introduced following a spate of etomidate cases, as regressive and fearmongering.