[CONSOLIDATED] Singapore's Vaping Crisis. CNB, HSA monitoring situation

[begintoend]

Aiya, get sch to hire security firms to get officers to do body search. Spend money only mAh, once A month random spot check.

 

[Sen Sen]

Why I felt like it’s a bait trap.

 

[psyger-zero]

Dun think we can do that any more.
You should have heard about some kids who decided to be superman after they were whacked by their parents.
To be honest, I think I will be sian if I am a parent now.

i duno,did those go overboard?we cannot give in to them just cos they morally hijack us.else that means we reward evil n punish the good,then what world are we building?

 

[lup_cheong_very_long]

I once saw students in sch uni vaping. Dont want to name the sch but ya, is lousy sch

 

[linbeier]

HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposal bins at 23 CCs​

A CCTV camera aimed at the bin deters theft of the disposed vapes and tampering, but had sparked concerns among some about being watched or identified. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

• HSA launched "Bin the Vape" allowing confidential vape disposal in red bins, promising no tracing of individuals who dispose of vapes.
• Concerns over CCTV surveillance and data use, reminiscent of the TraceTogether controversy, were addressed with assurances of protecting the public's privacy.
• Bins are secured, emptied regularly, and vapes incinerated to prevent misuse, encouraging users to quit before facing potential $2,000 fines.

SINGAPORE - Those who throw their vapes into designated disposal bins installed around Singapore can be assured their identities will not be traced, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on July 26.

HSA said this in response to The Straits Times’ queries about the “Bin the Vape” initiative, regarding concerns about possible repercussions if vape users surrendered their devices.

Launched by HSA, the Ministry of Health and the People’s Association (PA) on July 25, bins were placed at 23 community clubs (CCs) and one residents’ network centre around the island.

Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000, but the authorities said during the launch that no action will be taken against those who voluntarily dispose of their vapes.

On July 26, HSA said: “We would like to assure members of the public that the Health Sciences Authority will not be tracing the identities of any persons who had binned the e-vaporisers.

“We strongly encourage the public to dispose of their e-vaporisers, if any, using these disposal bins as they offer a confidential, secure and responsible disposal method.”

The red bin resembles a normal trash bin – but with posters of the initiative plastered on its front and top, promising a safe and confidential disposal of vapes.

A CCTV camera aimed at the bin deters theft of the disposed vapes and tampering, but had sparked concerns among some about being watched or identified.

Privacy issues involving the use of data came up during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, regarding data collected by contact tracing app and token TraceTogether.

The authorities had originally said there was no intention to use TraceTogether data as a means of picking up breaches of existing rules, but later said it could be used for criminal investigations.

This was because the Singapore Police Force is empowered under the Criminal Procedure Code to obtain any data, including TraceTogether data, for criminal investigations.

HSA also addressed concerns about theft and tampering of the vape disposal bins.

It said they are locked and secured to fixtures such as pillars. Once the vapes are dropped inside the bins, they will not be retrievable.

Cases of tampering or theft will be referred to the police.

HSA said vapes may contain illicit substances like etomidate or controlled drugs and should be disposed of properly in the bins.

HSA added: “These designated bins ensure these items are properly contained and destroyed, preventing them from being retrieved and potentially misused.”

It added these bins will be emptied regularly, and the disposed vapes will be sent to the incineration plants for proper destruction under close supervision.

The “Bin the Vape” initiative is meant to encourage vape users to quit before the law catches up with them.

The authorities noted that etomidate, a listed poison increasingly found in vapes here, will be classified as a Class C illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the coming weeks.

On July 25, the authorities reminded vape users and those consuming etomidate to give up their habit immediately.

Members of the public can visit go.gov.sg/bin-vapes to locate the nearest bin.

HSA said the locations are not a reflection of rates of vape usage around Singapore, but were decided based on available and convenient locations island-wide and in consultation with the PA.

The bins will be progressively placed in other locations, such as at institutes of higher learning.



Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences.

The hotline operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape

Privacy issues involving the use of data came up during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, regarding data collected by contact tracing app and token TraceTogether.

The authorities had originally said there was no intention to use TraceTogether data as a means of picking up breaches of existing rules, but later said it could be used for criminal investigations.

 

[lup_cheong_very_long]

Yuck hide vape in underwear then will have the kkj urine sai smell already

 

[Medicated Oil]

i duno,did those go overboard?we cannot give in to them just cos they morally hijack us.else that means we reward evil n punish the good,then what world are we building?

As I mentioned, some of the kids are really toufu.
We dunno what is hard and far.
And we dun really track them closely now.

 

[Quala98]

some vaper may have wanted to throw theirs but dun dare cos scared tio catch..

now can legally throw it without anyone judging them

but whether will they get new one, that's another topic

 

[samferguson]

The government needs to stopped being woke and politically correct. Issue an ultimatum, for parents and kids. Declare and go for mandatory corrective rehab for 6 months to 2 years at SANA, CNB and DRC. Past the dateline, adults and teens straight away solitary jail sentence plus caning for 2 years, + additional 2 years DRC rehabilitation. Below 18 mandatory juvenile home for 3 years + additional 3 years rehab at DRC.

From the supply side, mandatory 24 strokes of caning, 30 to 40 years solitary jail sentence, no discount. Foreigners, up 40 strokes of caning, immediate deportation and permanent barred from entering SG. Nonsense doesn't stop, can consider death sentence.

 

[psyger-zero]

Yuck hide vape in underwear then will have the kkj urine sai smell already

maybe they love their kkj smell,use it as an appetiser first before the main course?

 

[Sen Sen]

More disturbing if teacher joined in students to vape

 

[viethai]

maybe they love their kkj smell,use it as an appetiser first before the main course?

Ask them to exchange vape and vape on the spot

 

[psyger-zero]

More disturbing if teacher joined in students to vape

知法犯法！force the teacher to dress like a stewdent in sch uniform n bring him/her up on stage for caning too!

 

[s-ghost]

ah gui is jin confused

now is 2025 right?

 

[RyanJ]

G give plenty of time and chance to surrender, the calm before the lightning storm, this is probably the last straw.

 

[Medicated Oil]

The Law is STRONG.
Enforcement is NOT ENOUGH.

 

[virtualape]

Back then it wasn't drug laced. Some people underestimated the side effects of it. Thought that friend appear abit high, ownself will feel the same. But end up od and uplorry

 

[Shion]

monitoring for 7 years i guess

 

[CCCustom]

3.5G into 4G … this government become forgetful what laws and policies they passed.

Even enforcing clean toilets at coffeeshops … say must have mandatory deep cleaning at coffeeshop toilets … tell coffeeshops you give up your smoking area we give you money to help with the cleaning costs … coffeeshops take the money already, their toilets still like $#!t … end up 2 years later the best solution they can come up with is give the coffeeshops some more money.

 

[Heriophant]

Its like chewing gum.

Easy to bring in from causeway...