Rising Issue of Youth E-cigarette Use in Singapore

According to a report from Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao on May 4th, the number of people arrested for possessing or using e-cigarettes in Singapore has been increasing steadily since the country implemented a total ban on e-cigarettes in 2018. In particular, there has been a sharp rise in the number of students referred to the Health Sciences Authority for investigation. Educators have admitted that traditional methods of punishment are no longer effective in deterring young people from using e-cigarettes, and that education now requires more patience and guidance.

According to a joint announcement from the Ministry of Health and Health Sciences Authority, the number of people arrested in Singapore last year for possessing or using e-cigarettes reached 7,838, which is over five times the 1,266 people in 2020, setting a new record. Despite Singapore's strict ban on importing, distributing, or selling e-cigarettes, the market continues to thrive, with numerous online groups engaging in e-cigarette transactions targeted at local consumers, openly conducting business with anyone interested.

Today, students from primary school to higher education institutions have all become "hotspots" for e-cigarette use. Data shows that the number of students referred to the Health Sciences Bureau for using e-cigarettes has surged from less than 50 in 2020 to around 800 this year.

According to reports, the students referred are mostly those who are stubborn and unmanageable. Since March of this year, they will be directly referred to the Health Science Bureau and may face fines.

Dr. Huang Chunxiong, a critical care and respiratory consultant at O2 Medical Group, stated that the medical community has limited understanding of the risks associated with e-cigarettes and are currently unable to definitively determine the potential impacts on adolescents. However, Dr. Huang still warned that:

Long-term use of e-cigarettes may increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure, similar to long-term cigarette smoking.

Study Room Education Center founder Lin Wei also called on all sectors of society to work together to help young people stay away from e-cigarettes. He mentioned that young people may use e-cigarettes due to psychological needs, such as a desire for adult recognition or attention. He reminded that how parents and teachers handle suspected e-cigarette use by children is crucial, as scolding often has the opposite effect.