What Singapore's drug-laced vape problem tells us about Malaysia's approach
SINGAPORE bans vaping, has some of the world's toughest drug laws, yet drug-laced vapes are flooding in.
A recent report in The Straits Times should give all of us pause. Singapore, which banned vaping back in 2018, is now facing a surge in e-vaporisers laced with synthetic drugs like ketamine, MDMA, etomidate and even heroin.
Just this week, an officer with the republic's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had to dive into a moving car to stop a suspected Kpod dealer in a dramatic sign of how brazen and dangerous the trade has become.
For context, Kpods are vapes that contain vape juice mixed with potent ingredients such as etomidate or ketamine.
In just over a year, the HSA seized more than $41 million worth of vapes and parts. Back in 2019, that figure was less than $100,000. The problem has now mutated. Vapes are now turning into drug delivery devices.
Singapore MP Yip Hon Weng was quoted in the article as saying: 'As the landscape evolves, so must our legal tools.' He even suggested giving the Central Narcotics Bureau clearer powers the moment drug traces are detected.
These are serious policy recommendations, and they are coming from a country already known for strong laws and swift enforcement.
If Singapore is struggling, what about us? Malaysia's response so far has been to encourage bans at the state level.
Johor and Kelantan acted earlier, while Terengganu and Perlis are set to follow this August. Kedah is planning a ban by 2026, and others like Selangor and Penang are considering similar measures.
But let's be honest—people can still cross state lines or order online. And just like Singapore, once things go underground, it gets harder to track what's really in these devices.
In Singapore's case, a school study found that one in six confiscated vapes contained Spice, a type of synthetic cannabis.
Professor Christopher Pudney from the University of Bath even found traces of heroin and Ecstasy in vape cartridges, and used a portable device to detect drugs in just 30 seconds. That is how far things have gone—from nicotine to narcotics in sleek little packages.
Malaysia already has the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act to regulate vaping. But are we using it fully? Or are we creating a patchwork of inconsistent policies that fail to deal with the real issue?
Nobody is saying vaping is harmless. But pretending that bans alone will fix the problem is naïve. The Singapore experience tells us that even the strictest laws are not enough when enforcement lags behind evolving threats.
Instead of just banning, Malaysia should step up with smarter regulation, nationwide enforcement, drug testing of vape products, and real education targeted at youth. Otherwise, we may wake up to the same nightmare or worse. ‒ July 17, 2025
Tee Kim Hoe
Butterworth, Penang
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: 2Firsts
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