Authorities Crack Down on E-Vaporiser Use in Singapore

In a recent enforcement action, a Taiwanese individual was repatriated after being discovered with an e-vaporiser pod containing etomidate, commonly referred to as a Kpod. This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by Singaporean authorities to combat the illegal use of vaping products among foreigners in the country.

The 26-year-old man was apprehended on October 21, 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on December 18. He is one of six foreign nationals involved in etomidate abuse who have either been sent back to their home countries or are awaiting repatriation.

In a joint statement, MOH and HSA emphasized the importance of compliance with local laws: “Foreigners residing in Singapore are reminded to abide by the local laws and regulations, or they may have their work passes revoked and be barred from working in Singapore.”

Increasing Enforcement Against Vaping Offenses

Since the introduction of an enhanced anti-vaping framework, authorities have ramped up their efforts to enforce regulations regarding e-vaporisers. Over a three-month period, they issued fines to 2,710 individuals for offenses related to e-vaporisers. Among these, 257 people were found with e-vaporisers containing etomidate.

From the group of 257, 162 individuals have entered rehabilitation programs facilitated by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and various social service agencies. Investigations for 70 others are still ongoing.

While most of the offenders are adhering to their rehabilitation protocols, there have been some concerning cases. Three individuals have faced legal action for not attending their initial rehabilitation appointments, risking potential prison sentences of up to two years. Additionally, one more defaulter is under investigation, while four others—who are repeat offenders—have also skipped their rehabilitation sessions. This brings the total number of defaulters from September 1 to November 30 to eight.