S’poreans, PRs who vape Kpods overseas will be dealt with as though offence was committed in S’pore

Singaporeans and permanent residents who use drug-laced vapes like Kpods overseas can still be prosecuted here.

The extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who abuse drugs overseas will be dealt with as if that offence had been committed in Singapore.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim told Parliament on Sept 22 that this applies to the abuse of etomidate, which has been listed as a Class C drug since Sept 1.

First-time etomidate abusers face a fine of $700 for those aged 18 and above, or $500 for those below 18. They will also be required to attend rehabilitation for up to six months.

Those caught a second time will have to undergo mandatory supervision for six months, which will include drug testing and rehabilitation.

Kpod abusers who are aged 16 and above, and caught for the third time or more will undergo a 12-month regime, which includes treatment in a drug rehabilitation centre followed by drug testing and supervision.

Those under 16 years old will face mandatory supervision and drug testing for a year.

The Parliament session on Sept 22 saw a lengthy discussion on vaping.

Associate Professor Faishal said that from Sept 15, 2024, to Sept 14, 2025, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority intercepted 76 attempts at large-scale smuggling of vapes at the checkpoints and 57 attempts through the postal channels.

More than 500,000 vapes and their components were seized in these cases, said Prof Faishal.

Of these, about 3,000 were found in inbound parcels.

On Sept 15, the authorities uncovered more than 18,400 vapes and 1,400 related components in a lorry at Tuas Checkpoint.

This was the largest haul of smuggled vapes detected at Singapore’s land checkpoints since stronger penalties against vaping took effect on Sept 1.

A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in May said organised crime groups have been pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia.

The Malaysian Health Ministry said 65.6 per cent of vape liquids seized in 2023 and 2024 contained dangerous drugs.

It was reported in July that one in three vapes seized recently in Singapore was found to contain etomidate.

Prof Faishal also mentioned that on Sept 10, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) dismantled a syndicate dealing in etomidate-laced vapes, and arrested eight members of the syndicate.

More than 400 Kpods and $22,000 in cash were seized in the raids in Telok Blangah, Hougang and Boon Lay.

Prof Faishal said the authorities have observed an apparent reduction in the number of Kpods being trafficked after etomidate was listed as a Class C drug, and that traffickers have been more wary of the situation and enforcement, with some having stopped dealing in vapes with etomidate.

But there are still those who want to take the risk because of demand.

Prof Faishal noted how the syndicates have adapted quickly on social media platforms like Telegram, and said CNB and the other agencies are looking to be more effective in their enforcement on such platforms.

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) asked why it took so long for etomidate to be classified as a Class C drug.

He said there were similarities with how Subutex was dealt with, in that it took some time before changes to the law were made in 2006 to deal with the problem.

He said: “I’d like to know whether we had learnt from the Subutex situation, and whether or not we could have been quicker in reducing the amount of time it took to classify etomidate as a Class C drug.”

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the process takes time, as the authorities would need to observe both the use of and clinical evidence on the substance before taking action.

However, he added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is looking to propose new laws in the first quarter of 2026 to provide its officers with powers to act faster.

He said: “Even in the absence of comprehensive clinical data on harm, on addiction, on dependence, we can take action first under (the new) MOH powers, with the collaboration of other agencies, to require mandated rehab, mandated supervision.”

Mr Ong said public vigilance is crucial in detecting vaping offences.

He said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) received over 4,600 hotline reports between January and August, and over 1,400 reports through a new online form launched on July 21.

The form allows members of the public to upload photo evidence of vaping offences for the authorities to take further action.

Singpass is required for logins, to prevent spam and to ensure reporting integrity.

Mr David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC) asked if there was an appropriate platform for those under 15 to file such reports, as the minimum age to be eligible for a Singpass account is 15.

Mr Ong said those under 15 making a report can call the hotline and inform the operator that they do not have a Singpass account.

The operator will find a way to obtain the evidence for the report and take the appropriate action.

Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan also responded to a question about whether vaping offences can be reported through the Municipal Services Office’s (MSO) OneService app.

The app currently does not allow such reporting.

Mr Tan said MOH and HSA have assessed that the current reporting channels for vaping-related offences are adequate.

MOH and HSA will work with agencies, including the MSO which he oversees, to find ways to enhance the reach and accessibility of vape reporting channels, he added.

To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including public holidays. Reports can also be made online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape

If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at [email protected]

Over 10,000 officers tackling vaping crisis in S’pore; nearly 10,000 cases in first 8 months of 2025

More than 10,000 officers have been empowered to act against vape-related offences, doubling the number of front-line officers within a month.

Meanwhile, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has detected nearly 10,000 vaping cases within the first eight months of 2025, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.

These include 70 cases linked to the possession and use of etomidate-laced vapes, or Kpods, and 38 cases involving vape suppliers, he said.

Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, was responding to multiple questions posed to him by 16 MPs in Parliament on Sept 22.

On Sept 8, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said HSA had authorised more than 5,000 front-line officers to take action against vape-related offences.

Just two weeks later, that number doubled to more than 10,000 officers.

On Sept 22, Mr Ong said that with more enforcement officers, agencies have been conducting joint raids at night spots and institutes of higher learning.

He said the stronger measures announced on Aug 28 were because vapes had changed the landscape of substance abuse.

He said: “E-vaporisers now carry more dangerous substances like etomidate and controlled drugs. This was, in fact, one of the key considerations when we banned the supply and use of e-vaporisers years ago, and our fears have unfortunately come true.”

Mr Ong added that vapes are delivery devices that deliver substances, ranging from lychee-flavoured nicotine to etomidate to cannabis.

He said: “So, you have a range of stuff that can be delivered through this device. When someone is using a vape, you don’t know what he or she is consuming.”

Beyond the listing of etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the Government on Aug 28 announced enhanced punishments for vaping offences that include caning for Kpod suppliers, mandatory rehabilitation for etomidate abusers, and higher fines for vape offences.

Vaping has been outlawed in Singapore since 2018.

Mr Ong said that with enhanced enforcements, over 2,800 online advertisements have been removed in the first eight months of 2025.

Noting that more than half of vape users caught in Singapore are under the age of 25, he said: “There are more young people involved, out of curiosity, or succumbing to peer pressure. We want to help this group and have provided opportunities for them to come forward and seek help early.”

He said 74 people have voluntarily signed up for rehabilitation programmes between Sept 1 and Sept 14.

In response to Mr Christopher de Souza’s (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) question on the length of time taken for the enhanced measures to come into play, Mr Ong said MOH and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had acted as fast as they could.

He said: “When a new substance enters a community, you have to observe who is taking it. Will it fizzle out, or will it start to take root and grow? At the same time, we have to observe the clinical evidence – how harmful is it and how addictive is it?”

He added that Singapore was working closely with other countries to tackle the smuggling and syndicated activities at its borders, with Brunei, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia already banning vaping.

Said Mr Ong: “We are pleased to learn that Malaysia is making plans to do so too. With more regional countries banning e-vaporisers, we can be more effective in curbing this harmful and addictive habit.”

On Sept 16, MHA told The Straits Times that 13 officers from the police, Central Narcotics Bureau, and Singapore Prison Service have been seconded to assist HSA as of Sept 15.

MHA said it had also referred several hundred retired officers from these agencies for HSA to try to recruit for its enforcement efforts.

In Parliament, Mr Ong said that because of Singapore’s strong stance against substance abuse, it is unlikely the production of etomidate e-vaporisers will take root in Singapore.

He said the Government will not legalise and regulate vaping over any concerns that stronger measures are pushing vapes, particularly laced vapes, further underground.

Said Mr Ong: “Don’t fall for harm reduction arguments. Ban it, enforce it. (You) go underground, we will go after you.”

He said that while Singapore has listed etomidate under the Act, MOH was reviewing the longer-term legislation needed to adapt to the new landscape.

Mr Ong added: “We plan to enact the new legislation in the first quarter of 2026, to continue to support this whole-of-government approach to protect Singaporeans from the harmful effects caused by e-vaporisers.”

To report vaping-related offences, call the Health Sciences Authority hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including public holidays. Reports can also be made online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape

If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at [email protected]

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

S’pore will reconsider position on Palestine if situation deteriorates: Vivian