Overview

• The Class C listing covers etomidate and specified analogues including butomidate, metomidate, isopropoxate, propoxate and trifluoro‑etomidate, enabling action against trafficking, manufacture, import, export, possession and consumption without authorisation.
• Importers face a mandatory minimum of three years’ jail and five strokes of the cane, rising to 20 years and 15 strokes, while sellers and distributors face two to 10 years’ jail and two to five strokes.
• Vape penalties for users rise to S$500 for those under 18 and S$700 for adults, with Kpod users required to undergo rehabilitation of up to six months on a first offence and escalating to arrest and six months’ supervision for a second offence.
• Authorities have mobilised several hundred officers across HSA, CNB, police and other agencies and tightened checkpoint screening, with an Aug 27 Woodlands Checkpoint search seizing over 890 vapes and 6,700 parts and two separate import cases charged in court on Aug 28.
• The reclassification is an interim six‑month measure through Feb 28, 2026 as permanent legislation is drafted, with offences also brought under the Organised Crime Act, Online Criminal Harms Act and confiscation laws to disrupt syndicates and seize proceeds.