Stricter laws since 1 Sept target drug-laced vapes, with rehab and heavy penalties
Singapore’s tougher stance on vaping has swiftly led to 232 arrests in just the first week of September, including 32 suspected abusers of drug-laced vapes known as Kpods. Authorities have also charged the country’s first Kpod trafficker under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
232 Offenders in One Week
From 1 to 7 September, 232 individuals were caught for vaping-related offences. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed that all were issued Notices of Composition (NOC), fines payable without a court hearing.
Kpod Abusers Face Rehab
Among those arrested, 32 were suspected of abusing Kpods — e-vapouriser pods laced with etomidate, now classified as a Class C controlled drug. Fourteen cases have been confirmed, while 11 are still pending laboratory results. Confirmed abusers must undergo three to six months of rehabilitation at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), which includes education, counselling, and addiction support.
Escalating Penalties for Repeat Offenders
Second-time offenders will face arrest, mandatory urine testing, and six months of close supervision. Third-time offenders aged 16 and above will be detained for 12 months at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Changi Prison. These penalties reflect the higher thresholds introduced under the new framework starting 1 September.
First Kpod Trafficker Charged
On 6 September, police arrested 40-year-old Derek Khor Boon Chun in Ang Mo Kio after finding a vape and pod in his possession. A search of his car revealed 50 e-vapourisers and pods that tested positive for etomidate. He was charged on 8 September with trafficking Kpods, becoming the first individual prosecuted under the Misuse of Drugs Act since the ban took effect.
National Enforcement Expansion
The number of frontline enforcement officers has nearly doubled to more than 5,000, spanning agencies such as the Central Narcotics Bureau, Land Transport Authority, Singapore Prison Service, and Ministry of Manpower. These officers now join existing teams from HSA, ICA, NEA, Customs, and the police in tackling illegal vaping.
Public Engagement and Disposal Efforts
Authorities reported success with the “Bin the Vape” campaign, which collected around 6,000 vapes and components between late July and August. While special bins were removed after 31 August, permanent disposal points remain at border checkpoints, the Health Promotion Board, and IMH.
Singapore’s intensified war on vaping highlights a dual approach of strict enforcement and rehabilitation. With more than 200 offenders caught within a week and the first trafficker now facing heavy penalties, the government signals its commitment to safeguarding public health. For Singaporeans and regional observers, the crackdown underscores how the city-state prioritises health security and deterrence in response to emerging drug-laced vape threats.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Vaping, Kpod Abuse, Etomidate Vape, Anti-Vaping Laws, Vape Trafficking, Health Enforcement
