S'poreans, PRs who vape Kpods overseas will also be dealt with by the law

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 Muhammad 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 will face a fine of $700 for those 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, from 11.45am to about 12.30pm.

Prof Faishal said that from Sept 15, 2024, to Sept 14, 2025, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority intercepted 76 attempts of 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.

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 published in May said that organised crime groups have been pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia.

The Malaysian Health Ministry had revealed that 65.6 per cent of vape liquids seized in 2023 and 2024 contained dangerous drugs.

It was previously reported in July that one in three vapes seized in Singapore were found to contain etomidate.

Prof Faishal also mentioned that on Sept 10, the Central Narcotics Bureau dismantled a syndicate dealing in etomidate-laced vapes, and arrested eight members of the syndicate.

Over 400 Kpods and $22,000 in cash was seized in the raids at Telok Blangah, Hougang and Boon Lay.