Thailand finds etomidate in vapes, warns of rising illicit drug mixing

Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences has warned of a growing trend of illicit drug mixing in e-cigarettes after laboratory tests detected the powerful anaesthetic etomidate in dozens of samples, raising serious concerns about neurological and respiratory risks.

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Dr Sarawut Boonsuk, the department’s director-general, said e-cigarettes are increasingly being adulterated with a range of narcotics, posing severe health risks.

Substances detected internationally include cocaine, which affects the brain, and fentanyl, which can suppress breathing to fatal levels.

In Thailand, the authorities are now seeing disposable e-cigarettes - known as Kpods or “zombie vapes” - containing new psychoactive substances (NPS) instead of nicotine.

These chemicals can damage the nervous system, mental health and vital organs.

Dr Sarawut urged the public, particularly children and teenagers, to avoid all forms of e-cigarettes.