Singapore will crack down on the vaping and drug-laced vapes from Monday, introducing heavier fines, lengthy prison sentences and even caning in some cases.
Vaping has been banned since 2018 in Singapore, which is known for having some of the world’s toughest drug laws, but the authorities will impose tougher measures from September in response to concerns about the emergence of vapes laced with the anaesthetic agent etomidate, popularly known as Kpods, short for ketamine pods.
Under the changes, etomidate has been reclassified from a poison to a Class C drug, bringing tougher penalties for misuse, while vapers will also face bigger fines.
What is the drug etomidate?
Etomidate is an intravenous anaesthetic, used in medical settings. However, the Singapore authorities say it is increasingly being mixed with vape juice.
Random testing of confiscated vapes in July found that one in three contained etomidate, according to officials. Online sellers have promoted Kpods online as being undetectable by urine tests.
Etomidate was listed as a dangerous drug in Hong Kong and China as of February this year, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and said it had also been found in vaping products in Indonesia and Thailand.
What are the penalties for using vapes containing the drug?
The reclassification of etomidate from 1 September will result in tougher penalties.
Individuals caught using Kpods will also face tougher penalties, with a fine of S$500 (US$390) for under-18s, or S$700 (US$545) for adult offenders. They will be required to attend a rehabilitation programme for up to six months. Repeat offenders could face fines of up to S$2,000 (US$1,557) and/or 10 years in jail.
Individuals found to be importing Kpods will face between three and 20 years in prison, as well as caning, while offenders caught selling or distributing Kpods could be jailed for between two and 10 years, as well as caning.
What about for those using regular vapes?
Vaping has been banned since 2018 but remains popular in Singapore. Under new rules adult users will be fined S$700, while vape users under 18 will face a fine of S$500, with increased penalties for repeat offenders.
Those caught a second time will have to attend a rehabilitation programme for three months, while subsequent offenders will be prosecuted and fined up to S$2,000.
Why are authorities so concerned about vaping?
Health minister Ong Ye Kung has said vapes have become a “gateway for very serious substance abuse”.
The authorities are especially concerned that vaping is popular among young people, and report that about a third of vapers are under 18, and more than half are below 30.
Under new measures, schools have been given saliva test kits that can detect nicotine, local media reported, and students caught vaping will face disciplinary action, including possible suspension or expulsion from school.
Students suspected of using Kpods will be sent for urine testing.
According to local media, vape bins will be introduced at Changi airport for travellers flying into Singapore or transiting, with more notices played to warn foreigners about the tougher rules.
Foreign nationals will face the same penalties, and risk having their passes revoked, or being deported and banned from re-entering Singapore, according to local media.
