Singapore public healthcare institutions to record all Kpod cases, confiscate vapes
SINGAPORE: Public healthcare institutions have been told to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases, in a sign that the health authorities are treating vapes laced with etomidate more seriously.
In a circular dated July 9, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said medical practitioners should also get patients to surrender their e-vapourisers and consider sending their urine samples for testing.
This is because both authorities noticed a worrying increase in the number of e-vapoUrisers detected containing etomidate in Singapore between 2024 and 2025.
Such devices are also known as 'Kpods', which the authorities have recently intensified crackdowns on.
The circular highlighted the report in March by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which said etomidate had been notably detected in illicit drug markets in East and South-East Asia.
Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its importation or sale.
Etomidate found in vapes or supplied in oil capsules or formulations to be inhaled directly into users' lungs are not medical products and are prohibited.
Under the Act, those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to S$10,000 (US$7,798), or both.
MOH and HSA said that because of the rising concerns, they are studying the harm and addictiveness of etomidate use in vapes, through those who seek medical attention.
These studies will inform and shape policy, including whether existing regulations need to be tightened or amended.
On July 12, MOH and the Ministry of Home Affairs said they were considering further steps to better address the vaping issue, including whether current laws for enforcement could be enhanced.
The number of cases involving etomidate-laced vape pods has nearly tripled in Singapore to 28 cases in the first six months of 2025, compared with ten in the whole of 2024.
The MOH-HSA circular was addressed to emergency departments, urgent care centres, departments of psychiatry of public healthcare institutions, and the National Addictions Management Service Centre at the Institute of Mental Health.
In it, the authorities said medical practitioners should reassure patients that enforcement actions will not be taken against them for previous vape use if they voluntarily come forward to seek medical help.
Medical practitioners were told to observe symptoms and signs like seizures, dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, coughing, arrhythmias and thermal injury to airways.
In the circular, the authorities invoked powers under the Healthcare Services Act, requiring licensed medical practitioners to comply with the instructions.
Those who fail to do so can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to S$10,000.
During medical consultation, medical practitioners should confiscate the vapes, place them in ziplock bags and lock them up.
They should also consider sending patients' urine samples to HSA for toxicology testing.
MOH and HSA said members of the public who have sought assistance through the Health Promotion Board's QuitLine may be directed to seek medical help at public health institutions' emergency departments.
After treatment, these emergency departments may refer patients to the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000 for continued support.
Participants of HPB's I Quit programme need not worry about being fined or prosecuted, as it does not presume they have or use vaping products.
But if they are caught using or possessing such items, then they will be prosecuted.
MOH and HSA previously said more than S$41 million worth of vapes and related components were seized between January 2024 and March 2025.
More than 14,600 people were caught by the authorities in 2024, compared with 4,916 in 2022. - The Straits Times/ANN
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Pasir Gudang Hospital To Begin Operations After Achieving 50 Pct Readiness
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Pasir Gudang Hospital (HPG) in Johor will begin operations after it reaches at least 50 per cent readiness, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the Ministry of Health (MOH) is carrying out meticulous preparations with the Johor government to ensure basic amenities, medical equipment and human resources are sufficient before the hospital begins operations. "The Johor Menteri Besar and I agreed to ensure that we achieve at least around 50 per cent readiness, not just in terms of the physical building, but also equipment and human resources, before fully operating,' he told a media conference after launching the Malaysian Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 here today. Dzulkefly also said that the hospital staff intake process is expected to be completed by the end of this year or the first quarter of 2026, at the latest. "The state government will try to give whatever assistance it can to the MOH to ensure all human resources supply can be met by at least 50 per cent for us to begin operations,' he said. Previously, the HPG - a 20.6-hectare facility located in Bandar Seri Alam that is equipped with 304 beds and offering 14 specialist services - was reported to be ready to start operating in phases from Aug 1. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly expressed his gratitude following the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday that the government will expedite the filling of over 4,000 positions at public health facilities, including contract appointments for doctors. "We are extremely grateful because we have received 4,253 positions, and just recently received the official letter from the Public Services Commission (SPA) regarding the matter. "We will immediately work on filling the positions, especially to push for the transition of the status of doctors and health workers from contract for service to contract of service and eventually to permanent positions,' he said.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
MOH Conducting Maldistribution Studies On Permanent Placement Of Medical Officers
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) is conducting maldistribution studies to scrutinise the placement of medical officers at health facilities nationwide, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. For example, he said the MOH had offered 650 permanent positions in Sabah and Sarawak, but nearly 600 medical officers submitted appeal letters to be released from their postings in both states. "Only seven medical officers clicked on the permanent positions.. So, how can we help and uphold the rights of the people of Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan? Should we place all medical officers in the Klang Valley or urban areas only? "We must consider the human rights of all Malaysians appropriately. Nonetheless, we are working on ways to increase the number of permanent positions for deserving medical officers,' he said. He said this when winding up the debate on the motion for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement at the Dewan Rakyat here today. Meanwhile, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the Gig Workers Bill 2025, scheduled to be tabled during this sitting, specifically emphasises four main components - the definition of gig workers, income, dispute resolution mechanism and social security. He said the bill introduces a structured dispute resolution mechanism as an official channel for gig workers to present any issues or unfairness regarding their services, thus allowing the complaints to be addressed systematically. "The dispute resolution process can be done through several stages, namely through internal mechanisms, conciliation proceedings, and, if unresolved, it can be brought before the gig worker tribunal,' he said when winding up the debate on the report for the ministry. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, meanwhile, said the ministry is ready to study the feasibility of regulating e-hailing fares based on the findings and recommendations of the Klang Valley Land Public Transport Strategic Plan (PSPALK), which is expected to be finalised at the end of this year.
Focus Malaysia
8 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Taiwan collaborates with Malaysia to promote wellness through ‘Go Healthy with Taiwan 2025'
TAIWAN is driving regional wellness innovation with the '2025 Go Healthy with Taiwan' campaign in Malaysia. Led by the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA) and executed by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the initiative has attracted strong participants from Malaysian fitness groups, universities, and medical suppliers. Organisers urge Malaysian stakeholders to submit proposals before Aug 14 to showcase their ideas for a healthier future. The campaign is structured as an open call for proposals across three strategic sectors: Fitness & Sports Technology, Cycling, and Smart Healthcare. Participants will vie for three US$30,000 cash prizes, awarded to the most impactful and innovative proposals. In addition, the top six teams will be invited to Taiwan for an exclusive 'Go Healthy Tour'—a curated, immersive experience offering direct access to Taiwan's dynamic health technology ecosystem. This tour will feature hands-on demonstrations, site visits, and networking opportunities with leading Taiwanese companies, enabling participants to explore collaboration, product integration, and market expansion opportunities firsthand. Sectoral focus areas: Fitness & Sports Technology: From AI-enabled training systems to connected workout equipment, Taiwan's smart fitness innovations are designed to boost personal and population-wide wellness outcomes. Cycling: As a global manufacturing hub for high-performance bicycles and a leader in urban cycling infrastructure, Taiwan champions cycling as a sustainable, health-positive mode of transport. Smart Healthcare: Taiwan's Medtech sector offers advanced diagnostic platforms, telemedicine capabilities, and wearable technologies that are reshaping healthcare delivery and preventive care models. Evaluation criteria: Submissions will be assessed based on health and well-being benefits, integration of Taiwanese products or solutions, innovation, and feasibility. Key dates: Proposal deadline: Aug 14, 2025 Campaign Website: Participation is made simple via a streamlined online platform, designed for ease of submission. Detailed guidelines and case examples—such as Acer's wearable health monitors already adopted by leading hospitals worldwide—are available on the official campaign website to support proposal development. Join Taiwan in creating a healthier, more resilient future—through innovation, collaboration, and shared purpose. ‒ July 24, 2025
