SINGAPORE: The debate surrounding vaping in Singapore has intensified, with Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam labeling a prominent tobacco harm reduction NGO as a 'paid mouthpiece' for the tobacco industry.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) recently criticized Singapore's hardline approach to vaping, claiming that prohibiting these products will only encourage underground markets and limit smokers' access to safer alternatives. This statement came in response to an earlier address by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who indicated that vaping would be treated as a drug issue.

In its efforts to tackle vaping, Singapore is set to outlaw etomidate—an anesthetic found in some vape products—by classifying it as a Class C drug, which makes its trafficking, manufacturing, or possession without proper authorization illegal from September 1.

Shanmugam dismissed CAPHRA as an activist group that masquerades as a health advocate while pushing the narrative that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes. Calling them a 'snake oil' peddling organization, he emphasized their potential ties to the tobacco industry, suggesting that their primary motive is profit rather than public health.

"They are essentially proxies for the tobacco industry, which seeks to market nicotine through vaping, regardless of the harmful substances that may accompany it," he asserted.

Shanmugam is adamant that the Singaporean government prioritizes the safety and health of its citizens over the interests of NGOs supposedly funded by tobacco companies. He made it clear that he would not rely on their guidance regarding the well-being of society and its youth.

The Reality of Harm Reduction

Addressing CAPHRA's claims, Shanmugam argued that their views do not align with mainstream opinion in Singapore and highlighted the NGO's opposition to the World Health Organization's tobacco control efforts. He criticized their misleading claims about e-cigarettes, equating the nicotine delivery from vapes to four packets of cigarettes in one single device.

He explained that while harm reduction could have its benefits in countries with widespread drug issues, Singapore enjoys a relatively successful environment in curbing drug influx. "Our society is largely drug-free, so why should we consider harm reduction here?" he questioned.

Shanmugam acknowledged that harm reduction might seem viable for places struggling with organized crime and drug markets, but he also pointed out that some US cities have backed away from this approach due to dire consequences.

In his concluding remarks, Shanmugam urged Singaporeans to remain skeptical and critically evaluate the evidence before accepting external views. "Just because someone else says something, we don’t need to blindly accept it. Open your eyes and look at the facts," he advised.