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Heart of the Matter

Heart of the Matter - S3E19: Should Singapore regulate vaping instead of banning it?

Heart of the Matter - S3E19: Should Singapore regulate vaping instead of banning it?

18 Nov 2022 07:35AM

26 mins

From 2020 to 2022, the number of people caught vaping has more than tripled. The use of e-cigarettes has entrenched itself, not just among the young who are attracted by the lower costs and different flavours, but also by adults who are convinced that this is less harmful compared to cigarettes. What does the research say and why aren’t current enforcement measures working? Steven Chia speaks to Associate Professor Bibhas Chakraborty from Duke-NUS Medical School, Sean Ang, a smoking cessation specialist and “Sarah”, who vapes.

Heart of the Matter - S3E31: Why don't neighbours raise the alarm on family violence?

More cases of family violence are being reported in Singapore, but few are because bystanders called the authorities. Why do we complain about party noises but hesitate if we suspect someone is being abused? Who should we call and what should we say? Steven Chia speaks to Marcus Lim, head of TOUCH Family Support, psychiatrist Dr Joseph Leong from Promises Healthcare and Mohamed Fareez, deputy director at AMKFSC Community Services.

16/03/2023 26 mins

Heart of the Matter - S3E30: Are Singapore's cookie-cutter malls a bad thing?

In just a decade, the number of malls in Singapore has doubled and they usually have a set list of tenants - an anchor retailer, supermarket, pharmacy and several floors of eateries. Why do our malls look the same and what do we need to do better? Steven Chia speaks to Associate Professor Lynda Wee from Nanyang Business School and Winnie Chan, Founder & CEO at Bynd Artisan which has three retail outlets.

09/03/2023 27 mins

Heart of the Matter - S3E29: How does a young person become radicalised?

Recently, two self-radicalised Singaporean youths – aged 15 and 16 – were picked up under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Why are teenagers as young as 14 becoming more interested in extremist religious content? What do online games have to do with this trend and how can family members spot red flags? Steven Chia speaks to Dr Omer Ali Saifudeen from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Dr Mohamed Ali, co-chairman and counsellor with the Religious Rehabilitation Group and Nicholas Khoo, co-founder and former chairman of the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association.

02/03/2023 28 mins

Heart of the Matter - S3E28: ACS move: The start of dismantling closed circles?

Anglo Chinese School (Primary) is moving from Barker Road to the upcoming Tengah estate in 2030. Is this move the start of something significant? Will this reduce elitism and social inequality in Singapore and should other so-called "elite" schools follow suit? Steven Chia puts these questions to Ian Tan, an ACS alumni, Dr Teng Siao See from the National Institute of Education who has written about education reforms in Singapore and Clarence Ching, founder of Access Singapore.

23/02/2023 29 mins

Heart of the Matter - S3E27: Budget 2023: A further rebalancing of Singapore society?

Did the Valentine's Day Budget give help where help was really needed? Steven Chia asks associate professor Walter Theseira, entrepreneur and mother of two Dawn Cher, and Kurt Wee, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, for their take on handouts, CPF changes, Baby Bonuses and grants for homeowners and businesses.

16/02/2023 30 mins