Latest news with #K-Pod
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.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
Ban on tampered vape may backfire, says academic
GEORGE TOWN: As calls to ban tampered vape products such as K-Pod grow louder, experts have warned that an outright ban may backfire, exacerbating the problem rather than solving it. They say addressing the issue requires political will, inter-agency coordination, psychological insight and, above all, compassion. Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy described the rise of adulterated vapes as an escalation in Malaysia's struggle against evolving forms of substance abuse. 'What makes these products especially dangerous is not just their chemical composition but their design. They are discreet, odourless and flavoured. 'Tampered vape liquids have essentially become stealthy, socially accepted delivery systems for synthetic drugs. And they are alarmingly accessible to school and college students.' However, he cautioned that a blanket ban could worsen the situation by pushing the market further underground, which would make adulterated products even harder to trace and control. 'It could also penalise legitimate users who rely on vaping as a harm-reduction tool,' he said. He warned that a ban may trigger backlash from young voters and small-business owners, who form part of the country's growing vape retail sector. Sundramoorthy called instead for multi-layered regulation and the creation of a centralised regulatory body to oversee vape policy, including mandatory chemical testing of vape liquids, particularly flavoured and imported variants, before they are approved for sale. He proposed tougher penalties for vendors caught selling tampered products near schools or youth-centric areas. He said despite recent regulatory changes, Malaysia's legal framework remains inadequate to handle the vape industry's growing complexity. 'There is no comprehensive ban or regulation on vape liquids, particularly those imported or sold online. Enforcement at the point of sale is sporadic and customs control over vape paraphernalia remains porous.' He added that forensic labs are underequipped and understaffed, making rapid testing during school raids or medical emergencies almost impossible. 'This is a textbook case of enforcement mechanisms struggling to keep pace with innovation in substance abuse. Without a centralised regulatory body, efforts are fragmented. The result is a policy vacuum that criminals exploit with ease,' he said. Sundramoorthy also said the issue highlights broader systemic failures, such as porous borders, weak inter-agency coordination, inconsistent enforcement, institutional corruption and outdated educational messaging, all of which undermine national resilience. He called for the formation of a national task force comprising police, the Health Ministry, the Customs Department, forensic experts and educators to lead enforcement while also crafting culturally relevant awareness campaigns that target youth, parents and teachers. Malaysian Psychological Association president Assoc Prof Dr Shazli Ezzat Ghazali stressed that the solution must address the emotional and psychological state of Malaysian youth. 'The answer is not merely a lack of information, but rather deeper psychological factors. Vape use is sometimes not just experimentation. It could become a defensive mechanism for coping, an escape from academic pressure, family conflict, social anxiety or low self-worth,' he said. He explained that adolescence is a time of intense peer influence and identity confusion, and vaping is often used as a tool to 'join the gang' or appear 'cool'. 'Many teens are in an identity crisis and those unable to find themselves experience role confusion,' he said. He noted that the adolescent brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which governs impulse control and risk evaluation, is not yet fully developed, making teens more likely to follow trends without grasping long-term consequences. He added that colourful packaging and sweet flavours make vaping seem fun and harmless, distancing it from the health risks that are traditionally associated with cigarettes. 'Pop culture and social media indirectly normalise the use of illicit substances, making it seem bold, free and attractive.' Shazli said products such as K-Pod that offer a quick euphoric high appeal especially to youths dealing with stress, depression or emotional instability. A May report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime revealed the detection of etomidate, a hypnotic anaesthetic agent, in e-liquids used in vape devices. Misuse of this substance has been linked to symptoms such as intoxication, hand tremors, anxiety, panic and confusion.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Silent threat of adulterated vapes
THE emergence of adulterated vape products such as K-Pod, reportedly laced with dangerous psychoactive substances like ketamine, marks a disturbing escalation in Malaysia's battle against evolving substance abuse trends, particularly among youths. While it is critical to confront this alarming development, it is equally important to recognise that not all who vape are engaging in drug use. Many individuals, both youth and adults, use vape products legally, some as a means to quit smoking. A broad-brush condemnation of vaping would ignore this nuance and risk driving the issue further underground. Tampered vape liquids are no longer just a health issue; they have become stealthy socially accepted delivery systems for synthetic drugs. Illicit cartridges like K-Pod are discreet, odourless and often flavoured, making them alarmingly accessible and attractive to school and college students. These products represent a multidimensional threat that cuts across public health, enforcement and youth development. Youths are particularly vulnerable due to a combination of curiosity, peer pressure and the false perception that vaping is safer than traditional smoking or drug use. Social media trends, influencer culture and targeted advertising have glamorised vaping, pushing it further into the mainstream. Many young users begin with legal vape products but may unknowingly transition to tampered variants, unaware of the risks until it is too late. Compounding the problem is the ease of access. Vape liquids, whether regulated or adulterated, are widely available online and through unscrupulous local vendors, often without strict age verification. The packaging, often resembling fruity or candy-flavoured items, masks the danger and further appeals to young users. This form of substance abuse operates in a grey zone, where awareness is low and enforcement is inconsistent. Despite recent regulatory reforms, Malaysia's legal framework remains insufficient to deal with the growing complexity of the vape industry. There is no comprehensive ban or regulation on vape liquids, particularly those imported or sold online. Enforcement at the point of sale is sporadic and customs control over vape paraphernalia remains porous. Forensic laboratories are under-equipped and undertrained to test these products rapidly, delaying the detection of tampered vapes in school raids or hospital emergencies. This is a textbook case of enforcement mechanisms struggling to keep pace with innovation in substance abuse. Without a centralised regulatory body, efforts are fragmented, often falling between the Health Ministry, Ministry of Trade and various enforcement agencies, each deflecting responsibility to the other. The result is a policy vacuum that criminals exploit with ease. However, a total ban on vape products would likely create more problems than it solves. Prohibition could drive the market underground, making dangerous products even harder to trace and regulate. It could also penalise legitimate users who rely on vaping as a harm-reduction tool. Moreover, such a move could spark backlash among younger voters and small-business owners, many of whom are part of Malaysia's growing vape retail ecosystem. The better path is not prohibition but precision regulation. To address this crisis effectively, Malaysia must take a multipronged approach. First, a centralised regulatory authority should be established to oversee all aspects of vape-related policy, licensing and enforcement. All vape liquids, especially imported and flavoured variants, must undergo mandatory chemical testing before entering the market. Penalties should be increased for those caught selling adulterated products, particularly in proximity to schools or youth spaces. A coordinated national task force involving the police, health authorities, customs, forensic experts and education officials is also essential. This body should lead targeted enforcement operations and design culturally relevant awareness campaigns tailored to youths, parents and educators. We must meet young people where they are on social media, in schools and within peer groups with accurate information and credible messengers. The spread of adulterated vapes reflects deeper systemic weaknesses. Malaysia's porous borders, enforcement inconsistencies and black-market economy all contribute to the ease with which dangerous synthetic substances enter the country. Institutional corruption, gaps in inter-agency coordination and an outdated education system have further compounded the problem. These vulnerabilities must be addressed not just to combat the vape crisis but to strengthen national resilience more broadly. Importantly, we must also acknowledge the emotional and social drivers behind youth vaping. For many young people, vaping represents more than a habit; it is a form of silent rebellion, identity formation or emotional escape. Disillusionment with authority, academic pressures and the lack of mental health support are all part of the ecosystem that makes these products appealing. Addressing the issue requires compassion as well as control. Malaysia's continued delay in implementing decisive vape regulation raises serious concerns. Economic interests, political hesitation and regulatory inertia have all played a role. But the cost of inaction can be steep. What we risk is not just a public health crisis but the quiet grooming of a new generation into synthetic drug dependence right under our noses. In conclusion, adulterated vape products represent a clear and present danger to Malaysia's youth. However, demonising all vape use or rushing into a blanket ban may do more harm than good. Instead, we must pursue a balanced, evidence-based approach that emphasises regulation, enforcement, education and support. Only through such a strategy can we protect our youths, uphold public health and preserve societal stability in the face of this rapidly evolving threat. Datuk Dr. P. Sundramoorthy is a criminologist at the Centre for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Comments: letters@
