Examining the Growing Prevalence and Challenges of Youth Vaping
In Singapore, the sight of secondary school students vaping in school uniforms has become alarmingly common. Marcus*, a concerned parent, shares his dismay at witnessing such scenes near his home, with discarded vapes littering the area. His friends, too, have caught their young teenagers vaping.
Sarah*, a 20-year-old student, recounts how her tuition centre classmates openly vaped during lessons, flaunting flavors like iced lemon tea and grape. Despite occasional admonitions from teachers, little action was taken to prevent this behavior.
The trend isn’t confined to secondary schools. In university hostels, vapes sit casually among books and notes. Vaping has become ingrained in student culture, and attempts to curb it face challenges from thriving black markets and the allure of fruity, enticing flavors.
In 2023, underage vaping surged by 58%, with 800 students referred to the Health Sciences Authority for offenses. These figures, however, likely represent only a fraction of actual cases, as many evade detection. Youths like Ryan*, 21, started vaping during their teenage years, drawn by accessibility and peer influence. He recalls how social media platforms like Telegram make ordering vapes seamless, with vendors even offering home delivery.
Despite hefty fines and strict penalties for possession and distribution, the underground market continues to thrive. Sarah notes that even after being caught, peers quickly replace confiscated devices, indicating enforcement alone may not deter the behavior.
While vaping carries fewer known risks than traditional smoking, it’s far from harmless. Unregulated products can contain hazardous substances linked to severe lung diseases. The ease of access through illegal channels compounds the danger, leaving youths exposed to unknown toxins.
Countries around the world are split on addressing vaping. Some enforce bans like Singapore, while others opt for strict regulations or leave the industry largely unregulated. The middle ground, as seen in Australia and parts of the European Union, introduces controlled access and nicotine caps. However, these measures have varying degrees of success.
In Singapore, Marcus believes the current blanket ban drives youths toward black-market products, whose safety remains uncertain. He argues for alternative strategies, such as regulated testing for safer consumption, though the idea sparks debate.
Public awareness campaigns and increased enforcement at borders have shown limited results. Without comprehensive studies to understand local vaping habits, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain. Experts suggest focusing law enforcement on curbing the supply chain rather than penalizing users.
As Marcus observes, “Our kids are using these black-market products. And we don’t know what’s inside them. That’s really the danger here.”
In the absence of a perfect solution, Singapore faces a difficult choice between regulation and continued prohibition. Meanwhile, the sight of teenagers vaping at void decks remains a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective intervention.
