39 Kpod abusers placed in rehab since tougher penalties for vaping kicked in on Sept 1

Thirty-nine people caught for using etomidate e-vaporisers since Sept 1 have started or are beginning their rehabilitation, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Sept 27.

- Elisha Tushara

Their rehabilitation is at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) or social service agencies (SSAs).

Providing an update on the number of individuals caught since stricter penalties for vaping kicked in on Sept 1, the agencies said that between Sept 1 and Sept 21, 656 people were caught for vape-related offences. Of this number, 44 were in possession of vapes laced with etomidate.

Three etomidate abusers have started rehabilitation with IMH or the SSAs under the Ministry of Social and Family Development's Enhanced Supervision Youth Scheme.

Another 36 are expected to start their rehabilitation this week. The remaining five are pending investigation.

MOH and HSA said that over the past three weeks, there was one case of suspected trafficking of etomidate vapes and 27 cases of smuggling of regular vapes.

The 27 cases were detected at the airport, checkpoints or cruise centres. Overall, more than 25,000 vapes and related components were seized in the past three weeks.