The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has made it clear that people who use the new vape disposal bins will not be traced.
This statement was made on July 26, following the launch of the “Bin the Vape” initiative by the HSA, the Ministry of Health, and the People’s Association (PA) on July 25.
The program has placed special bins at 23 community clubs and one residents’ network centre. While possessing, using, or buying vapes can lead to a fine of up to $2,000, the authorities have said that no action will be taken against those who voluntarily throw away their devices.
The HSA is encouraging the public to use these bins, noting they provide a “confidential, secure, and responsible disposal method.”
Privacy and security concerns
The new bins, which look like regular trash cans but have special posters, each have a CCTV camera pointed at them. The camera is there to prevent theft and tampering.
However, this has made some people worried about being watched or identified, a concern that is similar to what happened with the TraceTogether data in 2021.
- The HSA addressed these concerns directly, confirming that it “will not trace the identities of those who use the bins.”
- The bins themselves are locked and secured so that once a vape is disposed of, it cannot be retrieved. Any cases of tampering or theft will be referred to the police.
- The disposed vapes are collected regularly and sent to incineration plants to be destroyed under close supervision.
Why is this important?
The HSA has warned that vapes may contain illegal substances and must be disposed of properly to prevent misuse.
The “Bin the Vape” program’s main goal is to get people to quit before they face legal trouble.
This is especially important as etomidate, a substance sometimes found in vapes, is soon to be classified as a Class C illegal drug. The authorities have given a reminder to all vape users to quit the habit right away.
How and where to report?
To find the nearest disposal bin, the public can visit go.gov.sg/bin-vapes.
The locations were chosen for convenience. The HSA plans to place additional bins in other locations, such as colleges and universities, in the future.
The authority has also extended the operating hours of its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline to report vaping-related offences and has launched a new online portal for this purpose at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape.
