A recent survey has revealed that more than 36% of vape users in Singapore buy their vapes through messaging apps, especially Telegram. This shows that many believe using encrypted platforms helps them avoid being caught by authorities.
According to Zaobao, the study was released by market research firm Milieu Insight on Tuesday (29 July).
The study revealed that the percentage of respondents who admitted to using vapes or heated tobacco products dropped slightly from 5.6% in Q4 last year to 5.3% in Q1 this year. This decline is likely due to the government’s stepped-up enforcement and public education efforts earlier this year.
However, with the upcoming classification of “zombie vape pods” (also known as Kpods) containing the drug etomidate as a Class C controlled substance, more users might become cautious.
It might also encourage some to admit their usage and seek help, making future survey results worth watching.
36.2% buy vapes through chat apps, mainly Telegram
This quarterly survey on cigarette and alternative nicotine product usage has been ongoing since Q3 of 2021. From January to March this year, 5,622 Singapore citizens and PRs aged 21 to 69 took part in an anonymous online poll.
For the first time, the survey revealed how vape users in Singapore still manage to get their hands on illegal products, despite the country banning vapes since 2018. The top three sources were: 36.2% bought them via chat apps, 30.7% bought them overseas, and 27.1% got them from friends or family.
When asked which apps they used to buy vapes, 78% named Telegram, 51.3% said WhatsApp, and 30.6% pointed to WeChat. Researchers say this reflects a growing reliance on encrypted messaging platforms to dodge law enforcement while obtaining illegal items.
Among those who bought vapes or heated tobacco products overseas, 70.5% got them from Asia-Pacific countries. The top locations were Johor Bahru in Malaysia (65.6%), Indonesia (29.5%), and other parts of Malaysia (23.2%).
Enforcement still a big challenge despite stricter rules
With Kpods gaining public attention for containing etomidate — soon to be classified as a Class C drug — the issue has been widely discussed. Still, experts warn that enforcement remains a big hurdle.
Founder of Success Alliance Enrichment, pharmacist, and smoking cessation counsellor Mr Sean Ang said more people are now admitting to using vapes when they come for help.
“Because there’s so much talk about Kpods, regular vape users feel their habit is less serious. But let’s be clear — vaping is not healthy, and people need to understand the risks.”
He added that it will be crucial to see how the government implements and enforces new regulations, especially since it’s hard to tell the difference between a regular vape and a Kpod.
Counsellors: Too many sellers make crackdowns harder
Mr Alvin Seng, a counsellor from WECARE Community Services, said both vapes and Kpods are easy to hide. Most cases only get discovered when users display extreme symptoms, like collapsing in public.
“Buying vapes or Kpods on chat apps is just too easy. There are so many ‘suppliers’ out there, which makes enforcement even harder,” he explained.
He believes public education and early intervention by social service groups are vital in helping users quit before it becomes worse.
Associations to team up with influencers to raise awareness
To prevent more people — especially youths — from picking up vaping, four trade associations in Singapore will ramp up education efforts. Besides putting up posters and stickers in shops, they will also boost online campaigns.
For instance, the Singapore Foochow Association, Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant & Bar-Owners Association, Singapore Mini Mart Association, and Singapore Provision Shop Friendly Association will work with Fly Entertainment to produce videos using celebrities and influencers.
The aim is to raise awareness of vaping dangers and combat the misleading vape-related content on social media.
