LTA, SMRT step up anti-vaping enforcement on public transport
Claudia Tan and Zaihan Mohamed Yusof for The Straits Times
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has warned that commuters caught vaping will be removed from public transport premises, and the police may be called in for those found to be intoxicated.
The LTA, which announced stepped-up enforcement efforts in a Facebook post on Aug 18, is the latest to join agencies including the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to tackle the vaping menace in Singapore.
The LTA said: "Our station staff are on active patrol to keep our public transport spaces safe and smoke-free. Anyone caught vaping will be removed from the premises and reported to authorities.
"For those found intoxicated, police may be called in too."
Recent video footage of different incidents have shown a national serviceman, a teenager and a woman vaping on public buses and MRT trains. All three appeared intoxicated in the videos.
In a separate incident on Aug 10, a man was caught on video shoving SMRT staff at Lakeside Station after he was spotted using an e-vaporiser.
SMRT had on Aug 18 issued a statement on its Facebook page reminding commuters that vaping is illegal in Singapore and strictly banned on SMRT-operated public transport network.
SMRT said it enforces a zero-tolerance policy, adding that it will not hesitate to report offenders to the relevant authorities.
Anti-vaping signs at its stations remind passengers that vaping carries a maximum fine of $2,000.
The whole-of-government approach in tacking e-vaporisers and the more harmful Kpods, or vapes laced with synthetic drugs, was addressed at the National Day Rally on Aug 17.
In his speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Government will take much tougher action against vaping and treat it as a drug issue with stiffer penalties.
Despite vapes being banned in Singapore, he said people are still smuggling them in and finding ways to get around the law.
"Many of these vapes are laced with addictive and harmful substances like etomidate," said PM Wong.
"So, the vapes themselves are just the delivery devices. The real danger is what is inside.
"Right now, it is etomidate. In future, it could be something worse - stronger or far more dangerous drugs."
Vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, and under current laws, possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000.
But imposing a fine is no longer enough.
PM Wong said: "We will treat this as a drug issue, and impose much stiffer penalties. That means jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances."
Supervision and rehabilitation will be given to those addicted to vapes.
The Government has mounted a major public education drive, starting in schools and the institutes of higher learning, and in national service.
PM Wong said that while MHA and MOH will lead the efforts, "this will be a robust whole-of-government exercise".
"The agencies have already started, and the ministries concerned will share more details soon," he added.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had announced on July 20 the intention to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), after one in three vapes recently seized here was found to contain etomidate.
MHA is expected to list the pharmaceutical drug under the MDA as an interim measure while MOH continues to study further legislative action.
This paves the way for Kpods abusers and traffickers to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs, with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.
Currently, etomidate is listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine.
Etomidate is meant for use only during medical procedures.
When vaped, it enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis.
On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said his ministry will second its officers to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to help with enforcement, as well as with supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of abusers.
Meanwhile, HSA said it is working with Hong Kong's Department of Health to tackle vaping by exchanging information and expertise with each other.
HSA has also advertised job openings for investigators specifically to crack down on Kpods. More than 800 people have since applied for the job.
MOH and HSA said on Aug 14 that more than 100 people were under investigation for offences involving vapes.
Members of the public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, or online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
Those who need help to quit vaping can join the Health Promotion Board's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000.
The authorities have said those who voluntarily seek support to quit vaping will not face any penalties for doing so.
