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

SINGAPORE – 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 

stnewsdesk@sph.com.sg