Listing etomidate as Class C drug 'interim measure', MHA to assist HSA on Kpod crackdown: Shanmugam, Singapore News
Speaking on the sidelines of a media event on Wednesday (July 30), Shanmugam said that MHA will be classifying etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as an "interim measure" while the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts further studies to form legislation regarding etomidate and related substances.
Etomidate is currently classified as a poison that is regulated under the Poisons Act.
Listing it as Class C drug under the MDA allows for "tougher enforcement measures", where abusers will be subjected to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation regimes if convicted.
Now the abusers are given a fine and sellers can face up to two years in jail.
"Those who import, sell, distribute etomidate-laced vapes can expect much stiffer penalties than today," he said.
Shanmugam said that his ministry will second officers to "assist with the supervision, treatment, and rehab of etomidate abusers" at HSA, following a request for assistance from MOH.
The minister said public education regarding Kpods will have to start with parents and schools, considering the younger demographic of Kpod users.
He said: "This is something we'll have to discuss with MOH, and MOH will have to decide how they want to bring it across, and how they want to do the public education for the young children."
Shanmugam also defended Singapore's tough stance on drugs, which are comparatively much harsher than other countries.
"We look after Singaporeans, and Singaporeans support our policies," he said, adding that such harsh penalties on drug offenders need to be in place to protect Singaporeans. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by AsiaOne (@asiaonecom)
As at July 25, MOH, HSA and People's Association have placed 24 bins at designated locations for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of their vapes in a new initiative called Bin the Vape.
Those who surrender their devices by binning them, or voluntarily seek support for quitting, will not face any penalties for doing so.
[[nid:720627]]
dana.leong@asiaone.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Teen seen falling over in MRT train found with vape and pod, assisting HSA with investigations, Singapore News
A teenager who was caught in a viral clip appearing dazed and falling over in an MRT train was found with an e-vaporiser and a pod, according to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). He is currently assisting HSA with investigations. In a clip posted to the Singapore Incidents Instagram account on Aug 1, the teenager, dressed in a white T-shirt and shorts, appears unsteady as he gets up from the seat and walks towards the MRT door. He falls backwards as he tries to exit, landing on the floor and startling other passengers, one of whom can be heard asking him, "Are you okay?" In an Instagram Story posted the same day, HSA stated that it had identified a 17-year-old who was "found with an e-vaporiser and a pod", and that the teenager was currently assisting with investigations. A statement by SMRT Trains' president Lam Sheau Kai to AsiaOne said that SMRT is aware of the video circulating on social media which alleged "the use of an etomidate-laced vape by a male commuter". The statement added that station staff was able to locate the commuter who was observed to be vaping. He was escorted out of the train and handed over to the authorities. SMRT has also issued a notice of offence to the individual for flouting regulations. "We take such illegal behaviour very seriously and strongly encourage commuters who encounter similar situations to report them," said Lam. AsiaOne has reached out to HSA for more information. Rising number of cases Electronic or e-vaporisers, also known as vapes, are devices that vaporise a liquid solution to be inhaled. They are known to contain harmful chemicals such as fine particulate matter (PM), cancer-causing agents like carbonyls and volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene, according to HSA's website. Drug-laced vapes, known as 'Kpods', have been gaining popularity in Singapore over the past year, CNA reported on July 12. These pods have been found to contain the anaesthetic etomidate. Some may also contain ketamine, another anaesthetic that has hallucinogenic properties. Videos of vape users turning into "zombies" and behaving erratically in public have also been surfacing online. CNA's report also stated that HSA had detected 28 cases involving etomidate this year — almost three times the 10 cases detected in 2024. A joint statement by the HSA and Ministry of Health on May 16 stated that more than 17,900 people were caught for possession and use of e-vaporisers between January 2024 and March 2025. Etomidate was also detected in the blood samples of two people involved in a fatal road accident in Punggol Road in May, HSA said in a statement on July 25. Etomidate is currently listed under the Poisons Act but will soon be reclassified as a Class C drug by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This means that users can be subjected to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, similar to what drug abusers undergo. Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said on July 30 that the reclassification is an "interim measure", while the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts further studies to form legislation regarding etomidate and related substances. [[nid:720579]] candicecai@
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
HSA investigating teen who was observed to be allegedly vaping in MRT train
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox On Aug 1, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said the 17-year-old was found with a vape in his possession and is assisting with investigations. SINGAPORE – A teenager who was filmed walking unsteadily inside an MRT train was observed to have been allegedly vaping by station staff. A 15-second clip posted on Reddit on July 31 showed the teen, who appeared to be in a daze, stumbling towards the train doors before falling b ackward s. In response to a Straits Times query, SMRT, which runs the North-South, East-West, Circle and Thomson-East Coast lines as well as the Bukit Panjang LRT line, said it is aware of the video which allegedly showed the use of Kpods, or etomidate-laced vapes, by the teen. 'Our station staff was able to locate the male commuter who was observed to be vaping, escorted him out of our train and handed him over to the authorities,' said Mr Lam Sheau Kai, president of SMRT Trains. 'We have also issued a notice of offence to this individual for flouting the rules. The notice generally requires the recipient to pay a composition penalty within a stated period. SMRT did not provide details of the MRT station and line linked to the incident. On Aug 1, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said the 17-year-old was found with a vape in his possession and is assisting with investigations. Etomidate is classified as a poison and regulated under the Poisons Act. It has clinical use as an anaesthetic agent, and is permitted only in clinical settings and subject to strict conditions. Experts who spoke to ST said etomidate has been known to cause a type of muscle spasm called myoclonus, which patients may describe as tremors. Symptoms of etomidate overdose can surface in unsteadiness, sluggishness and mental confusion. Said Mr Lam: 'We take such illegal behaviour very seriously and strongly encourage commuters who encounter similar situations to report them.' On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam announced that officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be seconded to beef up HSA's enforcement efforts against etomidate-related offences. MHA is expected to list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the coming weeks as an interim measure, as the Ministry of Health continues to study further legislative action against Kpod offenders. If etomidate is listed as a Class C drug, users can be subjected to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, like what drug abusers undergo. Those who reoffend or commit other serious offences can also be jailed for at least a year. To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. The public can also do so online at
AsiaOne
a day ago
- AsiaOne
Man allegedly spotted vaping on bus wearing military uniform was held in SAF custody, Singapore News
A man was held in Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) custody after allegedly vaping on a public bus. AsiaOne understands that he has since been released. A video shared by SGFollowsAll recently went viral showing the individual, dressed in a No. 4 military uniform, taking several puffs from a pink device, presumably an e-vapouriser. Mindef told AsiaOne in a statement today (Aug 2) that the man had been identified and put in SAF custody to assist with the investigation. The ministry said that SAF takes a "serious view" on the possession and use of vapes by service personnel and called it "both a matter of military discipline and an offence under national law". Offenders could be fined up to $1,000 or detained if the devices are found to be laced with controlled drugs. "Besides enforcement, the SAF also undertakes awareness and education efforts, and provides cessation counselling and support," the ministry added. "Service personnel are encouraged to speak to their commanders or medical officers if they require help." Vape seizures and disposal bins Between January 2024 and March 2025, over 17,900 people were caught for possession and use of e-vapourisers, with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seizing over $41 million worth of devices and components in 50 operations. Sixty people aged between 17 and 43 were also prosecuted for selling vapes. Starting July 25, the Ministry of Health (MOH), HSA and People's Association have placed vape disposal bins at 24 locations around the island for people to willingly curb their habit and safely dispose of their vaping paraphernalia. This comes after recent public concerns about vapes laced with etomidate, an anaesthetic agent that can cause seizures and psychosis which has been deemed a Controlled Substance under the Poisons Act. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung revealed that a third of vapes seized in Singapore were such 'Kpods'. The purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers is illegal under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act and offenders can be fined up to $2,000. Possessing or supplying pods containing etomidate can result in jail of up to two years and/or a fine of up to $10,000 under the Poisons Act. As an interim measure, etomidate will be listed as a Class C drug and subsequently, persons caught using etomidate-laced vapes will face mandatory supervision and rehabilitation, and penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act. [[nid:720471]] drimac@
