Latest news with #OngYeKung
AsiaOne
8 hours ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Vape disposal bins available at 24 locations; users who surrender devices will not face penalty, Singapore News
The Ministry of Health, Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and People's Association have launched a campaign encouraging vape users to kick the habit and safely dispose their devices in designated bins set up at 24 locations island-wide. Those who surrender their devices by binning them, or voluntarily seek support for quitting, will not face any penalties for doing so, said the authorities. Starting July 25, disposal bins have been placed at 23 Community Clubs and one Residents' Network Centre for members of the public to voluntarily dispose of vapes. This comes amid fresh public concern over vapes laced with etomidate, an anaesthetic agent that can cause seizures and psychosis. Etomidate will be listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the next few weeks, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on July 20. [[nid:720403]] Ahead of this, HSA is encouraging users of e-vaporiser to give up their devices and related components and quit vaping through the new initiative called Bin the Vape. Bins will also be progressively placed at other locations such as the institutes of higher learning, added the health authorities. Members of the public can visit HSA's website to find their nearest bin. Vape users who want to quit and are looking for support services can approach WE CARE Community Services, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, the Institute of Mental Health or the Quitline counsellors at 1800 438 2000 for help. Persons caught using etomidate-laced vapes once the substance is listed as a Class C drug will face mandatory supervision and rehabilitation and repeat offenders can be prosecuted and subject to at least a year's jail. Those caught selling, distributing or importing etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to more severe penalties, including jail of up to 20 years and caning. [[nid:720617]]
CNA
10 hours ago
- Health
- CNA
Bins available for vape disposal at 24 locations across Singapore
SINGAPORE: Vape users are encouraged to dispose of their e-vaporisers at bins that will be placed across 24 locations in Singapore from Friday (Jul 25). The initiative is meant to help vape users quit the habit before the law catches up with them, said the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Health Sciences Authority and the People's Association (PA) in a joint release. Called "Bin the Vape", the campaign will involve e-vaporiser disposal bins being placed at 23 community clubs and one Residents' Network Centre for the public to voluntarily dispose of their devices safely. Bins will also be progressively placed at other locations, including institutes of higher learning. Those who wish to seek support for quitting, especially if they have been using etomidate e-vaporisers, may approach WE CARE Community Services, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, the Institute of Mental Health for assistance, or call Quitline counsellors at 1800 438 2000. "Persons who come forward to bin their e-vaporisers or voluntarily seek support for quitting will not face any penalties for doing so," said the authorities. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung previously announced that in the next few weeks, etomidate - a drug that has been found in vapes - will be classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Once this kicks into force, those caught using etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation. Repeat offenders may be prosecuted and jailed for at least a year.
AsiaOne
11 hours ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — Etomidate has been detected in the blood samples of two people involved in a fatal road accident in Punggol Road in May, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on July 25. The pair were riding in a car that collided with a bus at about 2.50pm on May 13. The police discovered 42 e-vaporisers and more than 1,200 pods in the car, with some tested by HSA to contain etomidate, the authority said in a statement. The 30-year-old male driver was conscious when taken to hospital after the accident. His passenger, a 28-year-old woman, was taken unconscious to hospital where she subsequently died. "The driver is currently assisting the police and HSA in investigations regarding both the accident and e-vaporiser-related offences," the authority said. Etomidate, which is used as an anaesthetic agent, is allowed for use only in clinical settings and subject to strict conditions, according to HSA. On July 20, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the Health and Home Affairs ministries are working to list the substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, amid a growing trend of e-vaporisers — or vapes — containing the drug. working to list the substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, "The etomidate found in e-vaporisers or supplied in oil capsules or formulations to be inhaled directly into users' lungs are not medical products and are prohibited," HSA said in its statement. When used in vapes, etomidate can have serious adverse effects, it added. This includes causing involuntary movements or spasms of muscles, confusion, seizures and psychosis. It can also lead to physical dependence. Etomidate is currently listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face a fine and sellers can face up to two years in jail. With etomidate listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in future, HSA said this will enable tougher actions against suppliers and users of vapes with etomidate. Users can be subject to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, similar to drug abusers. Those who repeatedly reoffend or commit other serious offences can also be jailed for at least a year. "HSA strongly warns consumers who are using e-vaporisers to stop its use immediately," it said. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000 for the first offence. Reoffenders can face up to a year in jail and fined up to $20,000. [[nid:718014]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
New Paper
13 hours ago
- New Paper
Vape-linked anaesthetic drug detected in 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road crash: HSA
Etomidate has been detected in the blood samples of two people involved in a fatal road accident in Punggol Road in May, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on July 25. The pair were riding in a car that collided with a bus at about 2.50pm on May 13. The police discovered 42 e-vaporisers and more than 1,200 pods in the car, with some tested by HSA to contain etomidate, the authority said in a statement. The 30-year-old male driver was conscious when taken to the hospital after the accident. His passenger, a 28-year-old woman, was taken unconscious to the hospital where she subsequently died. "The driver is currently assisting the police and HSA in investigations regarding both the accident and e-vaporiser-related offences," HSA said. Etomidate, which is used as an anaesthetic agent, is only allowed for use in clinical settings and subject to strict conditions, according to the authority. On July 20, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs are working to list the substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, amid a growing trend of e-vaporisers, or vapes, containing the drug. "The etomidate found in e-vaporisers or supplied in oil capsules or formulations to be inhaled directly into users' lungs are not medical products and are prohibited," HSA said in its statement. When used in vapes, etomidate can have serious adverse effects, it added. This includes causing involuntary movements or spasm of muscles, confusion, seizures and psychosis. It can also lead to physical dependence. Etomidate is currently listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face a fine and sellers can face up to two years in jail. With etomidate listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the future, HSA said that this will enable tougher actions against suppliers and users of vapes with etomidate. Users can be subject to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme, or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, similar with drug abusers. Those who repeatedly reoffend or commit other serious offences can also be jailed for at least a year. "HSA strongly warns consumers who are using e-vaporisers to stop its use immediately," it said. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000 for the first offence. Reoffenders can face up to a year in jail and fined up to $20,000.
AsiaOne
16 hours ago
- AsiaOne
'Please don't believe it': Hougang resident harassed for 2 years after address mistaken as Kpods pickup point, Singapore News
A Hougang resident is upset after his address was falsely used as a pickup location for contraband items, including vape devices, accessories and 'Kpod' drug vaporisers. This comes after his home was allegedly listed online as a location for free giveaways. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that he has been harassed by this issue for the past two years, reported Shin Min Daily News. This started when a website called "Our Vape Store", which claimed to sell Kpods, had reportedly directed customers to pick up their orders at his unit, located at Block 251, Hougang Avenue 3. The website allegedly features a range of e-cigarette cartridges, priced between $50 and $210, and provides island-wide delivery for an additional $15, reported Shin Min. His address was also reportedly listed on Telegram by sellers marketing vape devices and 'Kpod' drug vaporisers. The frustrated resident disclosed that strangers have come to his door as late as 3 or 4am, asking about their goods. He then resorted to installing a CCTV camera near his unit, so that he can immediately call the police whenever he spots a stranger waiting outside his home. He said that he still has no idea who is behind the prank, despite informing the police multiple times. There's now a notice pasted outside his door, informing members of the public that his address had been misused by scammers and urging them not to believe the claims about free gifts, reported Shin Min. "Scammers used my home address to harass us. Please don't believe it, we have already reported it to the police," the notice stated, adding that anyone who had fallen victim to the scam should report the incident to the authorities. The resident also said that scammers had previously set up multiple Facebook groups, claiming that free items were available for pickup at his unit. Man charged for making Kpods On July 17, a man was charged for allegedly making drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home with the intent to sell. The Singaporean, who faces a total of eight charges, including two for selling and possessing etomidate with intent to sell under the Poisons Act, is scheduled to appear in court on August 11. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20, that the authorities are working to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which would treat abusers and traffickers of Kpods to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs, reported The Straits Times. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are prohibited, including purchases made through the internet and from overseas. Offenders can be fined up to $2,000, and those possessing or using pods containing etomidate can face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to 2 years and a fine of up to $10,000 under the Poisons Act. [[nid:719505]]
