There is evidence to show that vapes sold in Asia are increasingly laced with synthetic drugs and pharmaceutical products like etomidate. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published in May, products sold in Singapore as Kpods have been found to contain either etomidate or ketamine, which is a Class A controlled drug. The UNODC report also said that drug syndicates and organised crime groups are lacing vapes with synthetic drugs and pharmaceutical products like etomidate.
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- Sun, July 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM EDT
Esther Au Yong
Kpods being pushed by organised crime groups, including in Singapore, say the UN. (PHOTO: Getty)
There is evidence to show that vapes sold in Asia are increasingly laced with synthetic drugs and pharmaceutical products like etomidate. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published in May, products sold in Singapore as Kpods have been found to contain either etomidate or ketamine, which is a Class A controlled drug.
The UNODC report also say that drug syndicates and organised crime groups are lacing vapes with synthetic drugs and pharmaceutical products like etomidate.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) told the Straits Times that in the first half of 2025, it detected 28 cases involving Kpods, up from 10 cases recorded in 2024.
“Symptoms of etomidate overuse primarily include intoxication-like effects, hand tremors, unsteadiness, as well as anxiety, panic, sluggishness, and mental confusion, and its use has been associated with public safety accidents,” the report said.
Vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018.
