Caning for Kpod suppliers among stiffer measures to tackle vaping from Sept 1

• Higher fines, rehabilitation for first-time Kpod abusers

- Andrew Wong Correspondent and Nadine Chua

From Sept 1, up to 15 strokes of the cane and a maximum of 20 years' jail can be meted out to suppliers of Kpods, or e-vaporisers filled with etomidate, to tackle the vaping scourge here.

First-time etomidate abusers below 18 years old will be fined $500 while adults will be fined $700. This is a $200 increase for each group.

They must also attend mandatory rehabilitation for up to six months.

These were among the measures announced on Aug 28 by Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Education Minister Desmond Lee during a media conference on the Government's efforts to tackle vaping.

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua were also present at the conference at the National Press Centre.

Responding to a query from The Straits Times on why the enhanced measures were being enforced now, Mr Shanmugam said the Government had noticed an increase in the abuse of vapes.

He said: "It's not yet a problem that's out of control, but we see it as an increasing problem and we don't want to wait until it goes out of control, so we are moving in early."

From Sept 1, those who import Kpods will face between three and 20 years' jail and between five and 15 strokes of the cane.

Those convicted of selling or distributing Kpods will face between two and 10 years' jail and receive between two and five strokes of the cane.

Currently, those caught importing, selling or distributing Kpods are prosecuted under the Poisons Act and do not face caning. They can be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to two years.

As an interim measure, etomidate - an anaesthetic agent currently under the Poisons Act - will be classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act from Sept 1 to Feb 28, 2026. This will also apply to several modified versions of etomidate.