Singapore's Tough Stance Against Vaping Signals Loud and Clear the Nation's Zero-Tolerance Approach

Changes designed to choke off Kpod supply, prevent profiting by sellers

- Melvinderpal Singh

The message that Singapore takes a zero-tolerance and no-apologies approach to vaping is loud and clear. It will be no different from how matters like hate speech and the death penalty are dealt with.

Legislative changes announced on Aug 28, that kick in from Sept 1, are designed to choke the supply of vapes into Singapore by cutting access to online platforms. They will also prevent those in the illicit trade from profiting from the business.

For now, the attention is on Kpods, which are e-vaporisers laced with etomidate, and on the support that will be given to those seeking help with their addiction.

Among other things, etomidate will be listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), with significantly heavier penalties compared with laws under the Poisons Act, where the current maximum penalty is two years' jail and a $10,000 fine for possession, use and trafficking of the anaesthetic drug.

This will go up to a maximum sentence of 10 years' jail and a $20,000 fine for illegal possession and use under the MDA.

Also from Sept 1, up to 15 strokes of the cane and a maximum 20 years' jail can be meted out to Kpod suppliers to tackle the vaping scourge here.

But it is not just about Kpods. The legislative changes also cast light on vaping in general, with the Government describing it as a delivery system for drugs.

Instead of a tobacco harm reduction device, as has been marketed heavily online by advocates and social media influencers promoting vaping, an e-vaporiser will be treated in Singapore like a drug implement.