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The Sun
22-07-2025
- The Sun
Finding real fix for Malaysia's vape crisis
SINGAPORE, despite having some of the world's toughest drug laws and a ban on vaping since 2018, is now facing a surge in drug-laced e-vaporisers. A recent report should give us all pause: vapes containing synthetic drugs like ketamine, MDMA, etomidate and even heroin are flooding into the country. Just this week, an officer from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had to dive into a moving car to stop a suspected K-Pod dealer – a dramatic sign of how brazen and dangerous the trade has become. In just over a year, the HSA has seized more than S$41 million (RM135 million) worth of vapes and components. In 2019, that number was less than S$100,000. The problem has mutated: vapes are no longer just nicotine devices – they are becoming drug delivery systems. Singapore MP Yip Hon Weng was quoted in the article saying: 'As the landscape evolves, so must our legal tools.' He even proposed giving the Central Narcotics Bureau clearer authority to act the moment drug traces are detected. These are serious policy recommendations, especially coming from a country already known for its strong laws and swift enforcement. If Singapore is struggling, what about us? So far, Malaysia's response has been to encourage bans at the state level. Johor and Kelantan moved early, with Terengganu and Perlis set to follow this August. Kedah plans a ban by 2026 while states like Selangor and Penang are still weighing similar steps. But let us be honest – people can still cross state lines or order online. And just like Singapore, once trade goes underground, it becomes much harder to track what is inside these devices. In Singapore's case, a school study found that one in six confiscated vapes contained Spice, a type of synthetic cannabis. Prof 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 to its full potential? Or are we creating a patchwork of inconsistent policies that fail to deal with the real issue? No one is claiming vaping is harmless but it is naive to think that bans alone will solve it. Singapore's experience shows that even the toughest laws fall short when enforcement cannot keep up with evolving threats. Instead of relying solely on bans, Malaysia should step up with smarter regulations, nationwide enforcement, drug testing of vape products and real education targeted at youths. Otherwise, we may wake up to the same nightmare or worse.
Focus Malaysia
17-07-2025
- Focus Malaysia
What Singapore's drug-laced vape problem tells us about Malaysia's approach
Letter to Editor 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
