Between 1 September and 7 September 2025, authorities nabbed 232 people across Singapore for vape-related crimes. The Ministry of Health (MOH) released these figures yesterday. Here’s the kicker: 32 of them were suspected of abusing etomidate, a substance that just got bumped up to Class C controlled drug status under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The seized devices went straight to the lab. Testing revealed 14 individuals had Kpods containing etomidate. Seven tests came back clean. Eleven cases are still waiting for results.
Three people already received rehabilitation orders lasting up to six months. MOH explained that etomidate abusers must attend rehab instead of facing prosecution. The programme includes education, counselling, and addiction support.
First Trafficker Gets Charged
The authorities just landed their first big fish under the new rules.
Derek Khor Boon Chun, 40, was arrested on 6 September at an Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 carpark. Police spotted him acting suspiciously. A vehicle search turned up about 50 e-vaporisers and pods. Lab tests confirmed etomidate presence.
Khor faced charges on 8 September under the MDA for trafficking etomidate-laced e-vaporiser pods. He’s officially the first alleged trafficker prosecuted since the drug’s reclassification.
Enforcement Gets a Major Boost
More than 5,000 front-line officers now have the power to crack down on illegal vaping. This army includes personnel from the Central Narcotics Bureau, Land Transport Authority, Singapore Prison Service, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Singapore Civil Defence Force, and public transport operators.
The enforcement pool nearly doubled in size. Officers from the Health Sciences Authority, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Ministry of Education, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board, Singapore Customs, and Singapore Police Force were already on duty.
Heavy Penalties Await Offenders
The new framework announced in August hits hard. Traffickers, importers, and sellers of etomidate-laced vapes face two to 20 years behind bars plus five to 15 strokes of the cane. Traffickers specifically get two to 10 years’ jail and two to five strokes.
First-time abusers aged 18 and above pay $700 fines. Those under 18 pay $500. Both groups must complete rehabilitation for up to six months. Repeat offenders face mandatory supervision for six months, including drug testing and rehab.
People aged 16 and above caught for a third or subsequent offense get a 12-month treatment programme. This involves time in a drug rehabilitation centre, followed by testing and supervision. Abusers under 16 undergo mandatory supervision and testing for one year.
Medical Practitioners Must Report Cases
Since 1 September, doctors in public and private practice must legally report suspected etomidate abusers within seven days. Public healthcare institutions had already flagged nearly 50 cases between 9 July and 18 August.
Disposal Initiative Collects Thousands of Devices
The Bin The Vape initiative ran from 25 July to 31 August. It collected around 6,000 e-vaporisers and components for destruction. Disposal bins stay available at selected spots like border checkpoints and QuitVape centres.
QuitVape connects people to support agencies. These include the Institute of Mental Health, We Care Community Services, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities, and Fei Yue Community Services. Voluntary help-seekers through QuitVape face no penalties.
Between 1 September and 7 September, 17 people contacted agencies for support to quit Kpod use. Another 21 signed up for the Health Promotion Board’s I Quit programme for vaping.
The public can report illegal vaping at go.gov.sg/reportvape or call HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline at 66842036 or 66842037.
