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CNA
2 days ago
- Health
- CNA
Eviction from halls, suspension and even expulsion: How universities, polytechnics are cracking down on vaping
SINGAPORE: From S$300 (US$230) fines to suspension and even expulsion, universities and polytechnics are getting tougher on those caught vaping on campus. Some are increasing security patrols, and many are offering support for those who want to kick the habit. The moves by institutes of higher learning (IHLs) come amid a national push to clamp down on vaping, which saw Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mentioning the issue during his National Day Rally speech. 'So far we've treated vaping like tobacco – at most we impose a fine. But that's no longer enough,' he said. Moving forward, Singapore will treat vaping as a 'drug issue' and step up enforcement. Apart from 'much stiffer' penalties, which include jail sentences and more severe punishments for those selling vapes with harmful substances, a public education drive will also kick off at schools, IHLs and during National Service. Currently, those caught for purchase, use and possession of e-vaporisers, or vapes, are referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and subjected to a fine of up to S$2,000. As part of the campaign against vapes, bins have been placed in community clubs and universities across Singapore under the 'Bin the Vape' initiative. Devices can be surrendered at these bins without penalties for the users. ZERO-TOLERANCE APPROACH Among the IHLs, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) appears to be taking the toughest stance. In an email from the President's Office on Friday (Aug 15), the university said it will adopt a zero-tolerance position toward vapes and etomidate-laced vapes known as Kpods to protect the well-being of the community. To become a 100 per cent vape-free campus, NTU may conduct random bag checks, and will have security officers check vaping and smoking hot spots as well as designated smoking areas to ensure rules are followed, said the email which was seen by CNA. 'Any student or employee found vaping will be subject to disciplinary action, including mandatory counselling and, in serious cases, possible expulsion or termination,' NTU said, adding that it will also report offenders to the authorities. An advisory posted online said the prohibition on vaping also applies to students when they are off campus, if they are representing the university in Singapore, such as on internships or work attachments. First-time offenders will face a S$300 fine and eviction from halls. They may also be barred from on-campus housing for the rest of their time as a student, and be sent for national smoking or vaping cessation programmes. 'Depending on the severity of the case, students may face sanctions by the university, which will be decided by the Board of Discipline,' an NTU spokesperson said in response to CNA's queries. "OPENLY VAPING" ON CAMPUS From January 2024 to March 2025, about 2,600 students were referred to the HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping. A final-year student from NTU who gave his name as AK said that before the recent crackdown, vaping was a normalised practice among his social circles. People would often vape at smoking corners or even during group project discussions. When students hang out in a dormitory room, a vape might get passed around, he said. 'It's a very in-the-moment kind of thing, and I guess it also seems less harmful compared to smoking. So I guess people are more willing to kind of give it a try,' he said. Apart from students, a staff member who gave his name as John raised concerns about vaping among staff at NUS. One of the most uncomfortable episodes occurred when three or four colleagues vaped in a small air-conditioned room. 'I find myself being a bit concerned as to, like, what am I breathing in?' he said. Although an email was sent out to warn that vaping is illegal, he is not aware of the university taking action against any staff members who have continued the habit. Other universities and polytechnics said they have whistleblowing channels for reporting vape-related behaviour and will take action against those who commit offences. Their policies are communicated through posters displayed on campus, including in toilets and sports halls. Several schools said they inform students about the anti-vaping stance during orientation briefings, with the Singapore University of Technology and Design making use of government advisories to 'reinforce the seriousness' of drugs and vaping, said chief communications officer Tammy Tan. Nanyang Polytechnic also briefs students on guidelines against vaping and their consequences at the start of each academic year. An NUS spokesperson said staff and students face 'severe disciplinary actions' if caught vaping, and will be reported to the authorities. Students who live on campus may be suspended or barred from housing. A spokesperson from Republic Polytechnic said it has stepped up efforts, including increased patrols by security officers and discipline masters, and training staff and student leaders to look out for signs of addiction. Temasek Polytechnic said it is working with the Ministry of Education and the HSA to introduce vape detectors on campus. It also acknowledged the need for support, and said parents and guardians are informed when students are caught with vapes. The Singapore Institute of Technology said its counsellors are available to provide emotional and psychological support. 'We recognise that students may turn to vaping for various reasons – such as stress, peer influence, or curiosity – and encourage those who wish to stop vaping to seek confidential support,' Singapore Management University's (SMU) spokesperson said. Assistant Professor Yvette van der Eijk of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health said more emphasis needs to be put on supporting youths who are struggling and need help kicking their vaping addiction. 'Certainly, penalties will deter some youths, but not all of them,' she said, adding that people may continue to vape out of defiance or because they are dealing with deeper issues with their mental health. Safe pathways – such as the "Bin the Vape" initiative – should be a mainstay of Singapore's vaping prevention strategy, she added. 'That way, those youths who are addicted to vaping, especially to Kpods, would feel safer in coming forward to seek help,' she said. HAVE MEASURES BEEN EFFECTIVE? With recent scrutiny on vaping, students CNA spoke to have observed fewer people vaping openly on campus. AK, 25, said he knows of two or three acquaintances who have stopped vaping – although they continue to smoke cigarettes. Increased bag checks as part of NTU's efforts to clamp down on vaping are a 'good first step', he said. But he pointed out that students may still find ways to hide their vapes. A second-year business student from SMU, who wanted to be referred to as Manuel, said he stopped vaping since the authorities announced that tighter enforcement would kick in. He used to vape socially in drinking settings, about once or twice a month. He is not aware of his school's policies on vaping, but feels that the "Bin the Vape" initiative is a step in the right direction. Still, education might be a more effective approach. 'If people wanted to (quit vaping), they could just throw it in (any) bin, right?' he said. 'I think, more importantly, if they really want to eradicate it, it needs to start from young.' KL, a final-year student from NTU who quit vaping last September, said the school's crackdown on vaping feels 'sudden'. A better approach might be to ease the transition to punitive measures, she said. People may already be addicted to vaping, she said. 'So for them to go from vaping one day to (not) vaping the next day would be quite hard.' The 22-year-old, who had picked up vaping in secondary four, said she and some peers feel sceptical about certain anti-vaping initiatives, such as vape bins. She questioned whether those who give up their vapes can truly remain anonymous and will not be penalised. 'At the end of the day, we are just students, and members of staff, or even like authorities in general, are kind of like strangers to us. So it's very hard to just, you know, seek help and support,' she said. Mr Wong, a fifth-year student from SUSS who declined to share his full name, said that more support could come from fellow students instead of professors. He has observed that student clubs are where many students spend their time, he said. 'So I think the school should probably collaborate more with those student clubs to be able to reach a wider student audience.'
Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
40% more sign-ups to programmes for adult learners at institutes of higher learning in last 5 years
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – More adult learners have been signing up for programmes at institutes of higher learning (IHLs), driven by the introduction of bite-sized stackable micro-credentials, which have made educational opportunities more accessible. Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary on July 12 said there has been a 40 per cent increase in the last five years. Speaking at the SkillsFuture Festival × NUS 2025, he said that in 2024, about 188,000 individuals enrolled in continuing education and training programmes that were supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SkillsFuture Singapore at the IHLs. This is more than three times the pre-employment training intake, or the number of students enrolled in courses prior to starting work, across the IHLs, Dr Janil, who is also Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, added. He said: 'This increase is due both to higher training demand, as well as expanded upgrading pathways and opportunities that are being created.' Dr Janil said that IHLs have made their programmes more accessible to adult learners, offering most qualification programmes in the form of stackable micro-credential s for more manageable and flexible learning. 'This allows working adults to better juggle work and upgrading,' he said. Dr Janil said that following the introduction of work-study programmes enabling participants to earn and learn through training delivered by IHLs and employers, about 1,300 ITE graduates today – or 10 per cent of each graduating cohort – enrol in the ITE Work-Study Diploma, achieving good employment outcomes. He also noted that the Singapore Institute of Technology was set up to provide degree pathways for polytechnic upgraders, while the Singapore University of Social Sciences focuses on giving similar opportunities to adult learners. He highlighted that the recent expansion of the lifetime cohort participation rate – which refers to the percentage of a cohort who are given places in MOE-funded degree programmes – was to provide more publicly-funded degree places for adult learners. Dr Janil said the IHLs have also diversified their continuing education and training offerings beyond full qualifications to offer shorter skills booster programmes such as the SkillsFuture Series which addresses emerging skills needs in the digital, care and green economies. He shared that the IHLs are rolling out 54 new courses this year under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme. This initiative aims to help mid-career individuals to transition into new sectors or explore enhanced job prospects by providing industry-relevant training with employment assistance . A press release on July 12 announced that these new NUS and SkillsFuture Singapore courses are designed to help mid-career individuals adapt to evolving job demands – from pivoting into new sectors and launching entrepreneurial ventures, to upskilling in emerging areas such as AI and immersive media. These courses include those to equip individuals with the skills to become a pastry and baking specialist and a wellness professional. Dr Janil said the new courses means that more mid-career Singaporeans can benefit from these programmes, adding that those aged 40 and above will enjoy 90 per cent course fee subsidies and can offset their remaining out-of-pocket fees using the $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career). Those who train full-time can also apply for the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance. He urged IHLs to consider advancing their efforts in relation to SkillsFuture in order to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI. I nstitutions must refresh AI training curriculum and materials at a faster pace, while that adult educators should continually upgrade their skills to ensure that they are up-to-date with industry developments and training methods.
New Paper
17-05-2025
- New Paper
Nearly 18,000 people caught for possession and use of vapes over 15 months: HSA, MOH
Close to 18,000 people were caught between January 2024 and March 2025 for the possession and use of e-vaporisers after the authorities stepped up enforcement efforts. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Ministry of Health said in a joint statement on May 16 that e-vaporisers and related components worth more than $41 million were seized in the course of the 15 months. HSA also led 50 successful operations against large-scale syndicates that dealt in such products. It prosecuted 27 offenders - 20 men and seven women aged between 20 and 46 - for failing to pay their composition fines, and took another 60 people to court for selling e-vaporisers. Those who failed to pay on time for their vaping offences faced harsher penalties, such as higher fines or longer jail sentences, said the authorities. The group of 60 includes two people linked to an e-vaporiser syndicate case that involved more than $5 million worth of the devices. Ivan Sin was fined $16,000 and given 10 months' jail, while Toh Wee Leong was fined $14,000 and given the same jail term. These are the harshest sentences given to offenders for smuggling e-vaporisers so far, said the authorities. A key figure of another syndicate linked to a case that involved more than $6.5 million worth of e-vaporisers was nabbed in October 2024, and investigations are ongoing. During the 15-month period, 101 people were caught with e-vaporisers during checks involving 20,800 travellers at air, land and sea checkpoints by HSA and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers. HSA is also working more closely with local e-commerce and social media platforms to take down online listings offering e-vaporisers. More than 6,800 online listings of vapes and related components were removed during the period, more than double the 3,100 listings removed in 2023, said the authorities. Another 15 people were identified and fined for posting photos or videos of e-vaporisers on social media accounts. On the education front, schools and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) also stepped up efforts to reinforce the anti-vaping message and importance of maintaining a nicotine-free lifestyle, the statement said. It said: "From January 2024 to March 2025, nearly 118,500 students from schools and IHLs were engaged through educational skits, peer-led initiatives and outreach activities aimed at raising awareness about the harms of vaping. "About 2,600 students were referred to HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping." For students caught vaping, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) offers cessation support via tele-counselling service QuitLine, and on-site counselling by student health advisers in some schools. Nearly 1,800 youth received counselling over the course of the 15 months. HPB and the Ministry of Education will soon start a year-long virtual cessation counselling pilot for all secondary schools, slated to kick off in July, the statement said. Those found guilty of possessing, using or buying e-vaporisers can be fined up to $2,000. Those who import, distribute, sell or offer e-vaporisers and related components for sale can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both, for the first offence. Those who have been caught vaping are reminded to pay their fines promptly, said HSA, adding that those who fail to pay before the due date will face harsher consequences if they are prosecuted in court.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Straits Times
Nearly 18,000 people caught for possession and use of vapes over 15 months: HSA, MOH
HSA and MOH said e-vaporisers and other components worth more than $41 million were seized in the course of these 15 months. PHOTO: ST FILE Nearly 18,000 people caught for possession and use of vapes over 15 months: HSA, MOH SINGAPORE - Close to 18,000 people were caught between January 2024 and March 2025 for the possession and use of e-vaporisers after the authorities stepped up enforcement efforts. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Ministry of Health (MOH), in a joint statement on May 16, said e-vaporisers and other components worth more than $41 million were seized in the course of these 15 months. HSA also led 50 successful operations against large scale syndicates that deal with such products. It prosecuted 27 offenders - 20 men and seven women aged between 20 and 46 - for failing to pay their composition fines, and took another 60 people to court for selling e-vaporisers. Those who failed to pay on time for their vaping offences faced harsher penalties, such as higher fines or longer jail sentences, said the authorities. The group of 60 includes two people linked to an e-vaporiser syndicate case that involved mo re than $5 million worth of e-vaporisers. Ivan Sin was fined $16,000 and given 10 months' jail , while Toh Wee Leong was fined $ 14,000 and given the same jail term. These are the harshest sentences given to offenders for smuggling e-vaporisers so far, said the authorities. A key figure of another syndicate linked to a case that involves more than $6.5 million worth of e-vaporisers was nabbed in October 2024 , and investigations are ongoing. During these 15 months, 101 people were caught with e-vaporisers during checks involving 20,800 travellers at air, land, and sea checkpoints by HSA and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers. HSA is also working more closely with local e-commerce and social media platforms to take down online listings offering e-vaporisers. More than 6,800 online listings of vapes and related components were removed during the period, more than double the 3,100 listings removed in 2023 , said the authorities. Another 15 people were identified and fined for posting photos or videos of e-vaporisers on social media accounts. On the education front, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) also stepped up efforts to reinforce the anti-vaping message and importance of maintaining a nicotine-free lifestyle, the statement said. It said: 'From January 2024 to March 2025, nearly 118,500 students from schools and IHLs were engaged through educational skits, peer-led initiatives, and outreach activities aimed at raising awareness about the harms of vaping. 'About 2,600 students were referred to HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping.' For students caught vaping, the Health Promotion Board offers cessation support via tele-counselling service QuitLine, and onsite counselling by student health advisors in some schools. Nearly 1,800 youths received counselling over the course of the 15 months. HPB and MOE will soon start a year-long virtual cessation counselling pilot for all secondary schools, slated to kick off in July, the statement said. Those found guilty of possessing, using, or buying e-vaporisers can be fined up to $ 2,000 . Those who import, distribute, sell, or offer e-vaporisers and related components for sale can be fined up to $ 10,000 , jailed up to six months, or both, for the first offence. Those who have been caught vaping are reminded to promptly pay their fines, said HSA, adding that those who fail to pay before the due date will face harsher consequences if they are prosecuted in court. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
