Overview

• Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at the National Day Rally that vaping will be treated as a drug offence and those selling pods laced with substances like etomidate face jail terms.
• Authorities are moving to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act to impose mandatory rehabilitation and custodial sentences on traffickers and repeat offenders instead of fines.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs and Health Sciences Authority have seconded officers, advertised investigator roles and are sharing information with Hong Kong, with over 100 people now under investigation.
• Officials pledged that anyone who voluntarily seeks help to quit vaping will not be penalised and will receive supervised treatment and rehabilitation support.
• A nationwide public education drive targeting schools, tertiary institutions and National Service will warn youths of the medical dangers posed by etomidate-laced vapes.