Singapore threatens caning and jail in crackdown on drug-laced vapes

International

THINK twice before using a drug-laced vape in Singapore as offenders now face caning, jail, and heavy fines under new rules.

Singapore has announced a sweeping crackdown on vaping, imposing some of its harshest penalties yet as cases of drug-laced e-cigarettes rise. The new measures, which also cover foreigners and tourists, will take effect on 1 September.

The move follows a spike in vapes containing etomidate, an anaesthetic with effects similar to ketamine. A test in July on 100 seized devices found that one-third contained the drug. Officials say the devices, locally dubbed Kpods, have become increasingly common, and videos of young people behaving erratically while vaping have fueled public concern.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a BBC report that the tougher penalties were necessary as “vapes have become a gateway for very serious substance abuse,” calling the devices “delivery devices” for drugs.

Possession of even regular vapes will now carry a minimum fine of S$500 (US$390) and mandatory rehabilitation. Those caught with drug-laced vapes face harsher consequences, while suppliers could be jailed for up to 20 years and given 15 strokes of the cane.

Foreigners risk deportation, revocation of work permits, and bans on re-entry. Tourists are also subject to the new rules, though disposal bins will be placed at Changi Airport to allow them to discard devices without facing prosecution.

Authorities have paired the crackdown with enforcement campaigns across the island. Spot checks are being carried out on trains, buses, and in public parks, while disposal bins have been installed in universities and community centers.

Anti-vaping messages now run on buses, trains, and across media outlets, and schools are introducing new health education programs. Border checks have also been stepped up, as most vapes in Singapore are believed to originate from neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia.

Singapore first banned vaping in 2018 but has struggled to contain its spread. By reclassifying etomidate as a controlled drug for six months, authorities now have stronger grounds to prosecute offenders while longer-term laws are developed.

The clampdown places Singapore among countries with the toughest anti-vaping regimes. In June, the UK banned disposable vapes, following Belgium earlier in the year. Australia has progressively restricted the sale of non-prescription and disposable e-cigarettes since 2023.

For Singapore, the urgency is sharpened by the rise of drug-laced products. As Ong noted, the latest measures are designed to shut down a dangerous “gateway” before it becomes entrenched.(MyTVCebu)