Latest news with #QuitLine
AsiaOne
15-07-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
Medical practitioners must record Kpod cases, seize vapes: MOH, HSA, Singapore News
Medical practitioners must now record all cases of e-vaporiser use and related symptoms suggesting etomidate intoxication, amid a "rising concerns" regarding Kpod use in Singapore. In a circular issued on July 9, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said that there has been a "concerning increase" in the use of Kpods — e-vaporisers containing the anaesthetic agent etomidate — in Singapore between 2024 and 2025. "Some users of these products have exhibited etomidate-related adverse effects, such as the loss of motor coordination, confusion, dizziness and slurred speech," the healthcare authorities said. The circular highlighted how etomidate and its analogues have been notably detected in illicit drug markets in East and South-east Asia, according to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report in March. Etomidate is an anaesthetic agent used in clinical settings and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its import or sale. In a bid to crackdown on Kpod use, MOH and HSA said they are studying the "harm and addictiveness of etomidate use in e-vaporisers" through individuals who seek medical attention. This include those who seek help at the emergency departments, urgent care centres or the psychiatry departments of the public healthcare institutions or National Addictions Management Service in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). The studies will inform and shape policy going forward, including whether existing regulations and license conditions issued need to be tightened or amended. Confiscate all e-vaporisers Currently, those possessing or using pods containing etomidate can face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, under the Poisons Act. According to the circular, medical practitioners were told to observe symptoms like slurred speech, seizures, motor incoordination and arrythmias, among a list of symptoms related to etomidate intoxication. They were also instructed to confiscate all e-vaporisers and consider sending patients' urine samples to HSA for toxicology testing. Medical practitioners were also informed to reassure patients that enforcement actions against them for previous e-vaporiser use will not be taken when they voluntarily come forward to seek medical assistance. MOH and HSA also said that members of the public who have sought assistance through the Health Promotion Board's smoking/vaping cessation phone counselling service, QuitLine, may be directed to seek medical advice and assessment at public health institutions' emergency departments. MOH and HSA had previously said that over 17,900 persons were caught for the possession and use of e-vaporisers from January 2024 to March 2025. Over $41 million worth of vapes and related components were also seized between that period. [[nid:718087]]
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.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tobacco bill advancing through legislature
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — If it becomes law, Senate Bill 54 would decrease the amount of money that goes into South Dakota's Tobacco Prevention and Reduction Trust Fund. Those who support the change call it a necessary step because of the state's tight budget. Opponents worry it could impact smoking and vaping rates. Under the current South Dakota law, the first $30 million of tax revenue from cigarettes and other tobacco products goes to the state general fund. The next $5 million goes into the Tobacco Prevention and Reduction Trust Fund. Senate Bill 54 would reduce the amount going toward the Tobacco and Prevention Trust Fund to $2 million, allowing an extra $3 million to go into the general fund. Jim Terwilliger, commissioner of the Bureau of Finance and Management, is a proponent of the bill. 'This is one of the areas where we felt we could still do a really good job of offering tobacco prevention services but also be smarter with how we spend the money and then allocate some of those funds to the general fund, which will help cover some of our increased health care costs that we're seeing on the general fund side,' Terwilliger said. Carla Graciano with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network opposes the $3 million cut. 'The tobacco companies are spending about $24.9 million per year on marketing for their products in South Dakota,' Graciano said. 'We're only spending $5 million to fund our tobacco prevention and control program, and a $3 million cut is going to be detrimental to reduce smoking rates.' Terwilliger points to a recent decrease in smoking rates in South Dakota. Graciano says Senate Bill 54 could turn those numbers around. 'That problem has gotten gotten smaller over time. The public's attitude towards tobacco has changed, so we thought it was an opportunity to reinvest those dollars into other areas,' Terwilliger said. 'If we don't have the resources to keep programs like the Quit Line, we know that the smoking rates are going to increase, and the smoking deaths are going to also increase,' Graciano said. SB 54 passed the Senate by a vote of 21-14. Next, it heads to the House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers advance bill to cut tobacco-use prevention fund by $2 million
State Sen. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, contemplates a committee vote during the South Dakota legislative session in Pierre on Jan. 29, 2025. Also pictured is Sen. Sydney Davis, R-Burbank. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) PIERRE — A committee of South Dakota lawmakers advanced a bill 5-2 on Wednesday at the Capitol to reduce state funding for tobacco and vaping prevention efforts. But the lawmakers softened the proposed cut following a debate over public health and budget priorities. The bill, originally intended to slash annual funding for the state's Tobacco Prevention and Reduction Trust Fund from $5 million to $2 million, was amended to set the new funding level at $3 million. Prevention groups fear consequences from Noem's proposal to reduce funding for anti-tobacco efforts The bill is a priority of former Gov. Kristi Noem, and now Gov. Larry Rhoden's administration. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee sent the amended bill to the Legislature's budget committee with a positive recommendation. Bureau of Finance and Management Commissioner Jim Terwilliger said the state needs to make budget cuts to help cover a $62 million increase in Medicaid costs. Opponents of the bill, including public health advocates and medical organizations, warned that reducing tobacco prevention funding could undo years of progress in reducing smoking and vaping rates, particularly among youth. Terwilliger said smoking rates have declined significantly in South Dakota over the past two decades. 'The $5 million that's been spent has been successful, certainly, but you're also looking at a smaller problem to tackle, if you will, in terms of tobacco prevention,' he said. Terwilliger said the state receives $1 million annually in federal tobacco prevention grants, which will remain intact. The reduced state contribution would continue funding South Dakota's QuitLine services and other prevention efforts, he said. Public health advocates pushed back, saying the state is trading short-term savings for long-term costs in health care. South Dakota voters approved a 2006 ballot measure to dedicate a portion of increased cigarette tax revenue to prevention efforts. Jennifer Stalley, a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, helped make that happen. She warned that the bill undermines that commitment and could lead to a resurgence of youth tobacco use, particularly vaping and nicotine pouches. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Stalley said the state is spending $5 million to fight a $75 million annual problem in smoking-related health care costs, driving up the cost of Medicaid. 'Taking our foot off the gas right now, because we're doing well, isn't going to make sure that we are successful,' she said. 'It's going to make sure that in five years or 10 years – hopefully, not me – we're going to be back here going through this litany of asks again to get back to a successful program.' Kim Malsam-Rysdon is a former secretary of the state Department of Health and a current Avera Health lobbyist. Avera has a contract to manage the state's QuitLine program. She said it is one of the most effective in the nation with a 49% long-term success rate. 'We need to continue to fund these services. We also need to continue our other prevention services so that people never have to get to the QuitLine,' she said. Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, successfully proposed the amendment to set the new funding level at $3 million instead of the originally proposed $2 million. He said the change is a compromise that acknowledges budget constraints while hopefully preserving key prevention efforts.
