Seeing P2 boy with HSA fine for vaping spurred SMU law student to create app for youth to quit habit
The app was one of the five winners of the Access to Justice Community Co-Lab.
In Tampines, a father and his Primary Two son, both facing a Health Sciences Authority fine for vaping, prompted SMU law student Joy Liew to take action. Liew, who had previously thought vaping mainly affected older teenagers, was shocked to learn that children as young as ten could be affected by this vice. Collaborating with fellow SMU students Amber Tng, Anson Koh, and Lee Yi Terng, Liew created the app ClearAir to assist youth who have been caught vaping and wish to quit.
They discovered support gaps for these young individuals, as some may lack family members to hold them accountable during their rehabilitation and may experience temptations to vape again between counselling sessions. ClearAir allows users to track their progress with daily check-ins, set financial goals to avoid using their savings on vapes, and identify locations where they may be tempted to vape.
When cravings arise, users can press a red "Craving SOS" button, which prompts them to engage in distracting activities such as playing games or reading success stories of former addicts. This innovative app was one of five winning projects showcased at the launch of Law Awareness Weeks @ CDC (LAW@CDC) 2026, with Liew and her team receiving $5,000 in prize money for their efforts.
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