Answer for Oral Question PL232

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee

YANG BERHORMAT DAYANG CHONG CHIN YEE requested the MENTERI KESIHATAN to state the Government's measures, taking into account the regulatory measures in Singapore and Hong Kong concerning etomidate and its analogues, to strengthen prevention and inter-agency cooperation in combating the importation and distribution of electronic cigarettes containing psychoactive substances.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

The Ministry of Health views seriously the trend of using electronic cigarettes containing psychoactive substances such as etomidate and other prohibited substances, as they may pose serious health risks to users.

The Government adopts a whole-of-government approach through close cooperation between:

• the Ministry of Health;
• the Narcotics Control Bureau;
• the Royal Brunei Police Force;
• the Royal Customs and Excise Department; and
• relevant enforcement agencies,

to combat the importation, distribution and misuse of these products.

This cooperation includes:

• intelligence and information sharing;
• integrated enforcement operations;
• monitoring at the country's entry points;
• investigations into distribution networks; and
• action against parties who violate the law.

The Ministry of Health also works with the Narcotics Control Bureau to identify trends in newly misused substances, including analogue substances used in electronic cigarettes, so that regulatory and enforcement measures can be strengthened in line with current developments.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (BKN) began recording seizures of vape liquid suspected of containing psychoactive substances in 2024. To date, two individuals have been detained through operations and inspections at national control posts, and 115 bottles of vape liquid suspected of containing psychoactive substances have been seized.

Also in 2024, the Scientific Services Department (DSS), Ministry of Health, detected four new psychoactive substances through analysis of vape liquid samples seized by the BKN, namely:

• Dipentylone (Synthetic Cathinone);
• Etizolam (Benzodiazepine Analog);
• Fluoroamphetamine (Amphetamine); and
• MDMB-4en-PINACA (Synthetic Cannabinoid).

These findings indicate that the misuse of vape products now involves new psychoactive substances (new psychoactive substances) that are constantly evolving and pose a challenge to enforcement agencies worldwide.

The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor developments concerning new psychoactive substances (new psychoactive substances) in Negara Brunei Darussalam. If new substances that pose risks to public health and national security are identified, the Ministry of Health, together with the relevant agencies, will assess and examine the need to update the list of controlled substances and the relevant legislative provisions. This approach is important to ensure that the country's legal framework remains relevant, responsive and effective in curbing the ever-evolving threat of psychoactive substance misuse.

From a public health perspective, the Ministry continues to intensify education and awareness efforts regarding the dangers of using vape products containing psychoactive substances through:

• schools;
• educational institutions;
• mass media;
• social media; and
• community engagement.

For adolescents and youths, early prevention efforts continue to be strengthened through awareness sessions, advice, counselling and referrals to the Smoking Cessation Clinic for individuals who require assistance in stopping the use of nicotine products.

The Ministry of Health will continue to assess the need to strengthen the regulatory framework in line with developments in scientific evidence, trends in the misuse of new substances and international best practices, with the primary objective of protecting the health and safety of the people.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to strengthening an approach based on prevention, regulation, enforcement and inter-agency cooperation in addressing the threat posed by vapes containing psychoactive substances.

Through close cooperation among enforcement agencies, legislative updates, strengthened technical capabilities and health education for the public, the Government will continue to ensure that public health and the safety of the people are protected at all times.