Key Points
- Enforcement surge: Over 5,000 additional officers across CNB, CPIB, LTA, MOM, SCDF, SPS and public transport operators empowered to act against vape users—nearly doubling the previous force.
- One-week results: 232 people fined; at least 14 confirmed to possess etomidate vapes; 32 suspected Kpod users.
- Legal framework: From Sep 1, etomidate is listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA); importers of etomidate vapes face heavy jail terms and caning.
- Rehabilitation regime: Etomidate abusers may be required to attend up to six months of rehabilitation in lieu of prosecution; three have received notices so far.
- Repeat use penalties: Recalcitrant users can be prosecuted under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, with fines up to S$2,000.
2Firsts, Sep 9, 2025 — Singapore has authorised more than 5,000 additional frontline officers to enforce vaping rules, nearly doubling the national enforcement force. Newly empowered personnel from the Central Narcotics Bureau, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Land Transport Authority, Ministry of Manpower, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Prison Service and public transport operators can now act against e-vaporiser users, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
The move follows the Sep 1 start of enhanced penalties that include listing etomidate—an anaesthetic found in some illicit vapes—as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This change exposes suppliers of etomidate-laced vapes (“Kpods”) to much stiffer drug-law penalties.
In the first week under the new regime, authorities issued on-the-spot fines to 232 people for vape-related offences. At least 14 offenders were confirmed to possess etomidate-laced vapes, according to MOH and HSA.
MOH and HSA said etomidate abusers may be required to undergo rehabilitation—focused on education, counselling and support—for up to six months in lieu of prosecution; three offenders have received rehabilitation notices to date. Those who fail to complete the programme, as well as third-time and subsequent offenders, will be prosecuted under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, with fines up to S$2,000.
Authorities also highlighted that drug-law penalties can apply to etomidate-linked trafficking: importers of etomidate vapes face three to 20 years’ imprisonment and caning, while sellers/distributors face two to 10 years and caning.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung thanked the public agencies and the community for supporting the anti-vaping drive in a Facebook post on Monday.
