Yip Hon Weng on Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill

Parents are discovering devices in school bags, teachers are noticing changes in behaviour and neighbours are raising complaints about vaping in void decks and playgrounds. MP Yip Hon Weng, who shared these observations in parliament on Friday (Mar 6), pointed out that harm does not always look like vice and sometimes arrives packaged as innovation. He stressed the need to ensure that legislation is not only tough but also properly calibrated, proportionate and effective in practice. He wanted to know if the government is protecting youths with measurable outcomes, fair safeguards and proper rehabilitation. Turning to enforcement powers, he wanted to know if there would be clarity on the ground. He also wanted to know if Singapore is staying ahead of evolving substances in rapid scheduling, predictive monitoring and upstream disruption.