Kpod Epidemic

The Kpod epidemic is a term used in Singapore to describe a surge in the use of e-vaporizers (vapes) that have been illegally laced with drugs, primarily the powerful anesthetic etomidate. Social service agencies (e.g., Care Corner, Fei Yue Community Services) reported learning about the term "Kpod" from youth discussions in August 2024. This public health crisis has prompted a strong response from the Singapore government due to its prevalence among young people and the severe health risks associated with the substance.

The emergence of Kpods

Teen spotted laying on the floor of Serangoon MRT after taking a puff of the etomidate-laced vape. Photo from Instagram.

The crisis came to light when Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) first detected etomidate-laced vapes ("Kpods") back in March 2024. Reports indicate that about one in three vapes confiscated in Singapore have been found to contain etomidate. Other drugs, such as ketamine, have also been detected in these devices.

Health and behavioral effects

The misuse of etomidate in vapes can lead to serious health complications. Users have been reported to exhibit a "trance-like" or "zombie-style" state, and some have collapsed in public places. Short-term effects include blank stares, tremors, seizures, and the risk of a fatal overdose. Long-term use of these substances can lead to lasting cognitive impairment, including memory loss, psychosis, and permanent brain damage.

Affected demographics

The Kpod trend has been particularly alarming due to its spread among adolescents, with users as young as 12 reported. These vapes are often incorrectly perceived as being less harmful than other drugs and are thought to be undetectable in standard drug tests.

Government Response

In response to the growing crisis, the Singapore government has taken a firm stance, announcing a series of policy changes and enforcement measures.

Legal reclassification and penalties

The Singapore Health Minister announced that etomidate would be reclassified from a controlled substance to a Class C illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as of September 1, 2025. This change means that users will be subject to stricter penalties, including mandatory rehabilitation and potential jail time, aligning the penalties with those for hard drugs. Additionally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that selling these vapes will be treated as a serious drug offense, with tougher penalties, including jail sentences.

Enforcement and public awareness

There has been an increase in enforcement operations to seize illegal vapes and an ongoing public education campaign led by the government and various agencies. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has also launched a "Bin the Vape" initiative to encourage users to surrender their devices voluntarily. In a landmark case, an individual was sentenced to 16 months in prison for manufacturing and selling etomidate-laced Kpods, marking the first conviction of its kind in Singapore.

Kpod incidents recorded

Muhammad Sabriee Mohd Tahar arriving at the State Courts on 7 August 2025. Photo from Channel News Asia.

In a tragic incident, a 28-year-old woman died and a 30-year-old man was injured in a car-bus collision in Punggol Road. It was later revealed that the two people in the car had tested positive for etomidate in their blood samples. A large number of vapes and pods, with some containing etomidate, were found in the vehicle.

A mother shared a harrowing account of her teenage son's addiction to Kpods. She recounted how the addiction left him trembling, hallucinating, and emotionally detached. She also mentioned that he had collapsed in public on at least one occasion due to his Kpod use, and his family spent a few thousand on his treatment and rehabilitation.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) was alerted to a case of a 13-year-old girl behaving erratically in public, showing signs of drug intoxication. An investigation led to the seizure of an etomidate-laced vape from her residence. The person who sold the device to her was also identified and arrested.

On 7 August 2025, a 22-year-old man, Muhammad Sabriee Mohd Tahar, was charged with possession and intent to sell etomidate-laced Kpods. He was found with five Kpods, three of which were allegedly for sale, near Coleman Street in central Singapore.

On November 19, 2024, a 27-year-old man who was addicted to Kpods became emotional when his mother confronted him about his habit. The man expressed suicidal thoughts and later attempted to jump from a corridor outside his flat. His mother and neighbors intervened, and the police were called to the scene.

Kpod peddler fleeing raid from Bishan on 14 July 2025. Photo from The Straits Times.

On August 28, 2025, a 28-year-old man, who had been laid off from his job, threatened to jump off a building with his 5-year-old son after a dispute with his mother over money. The man, who had been smoking Kpods, exhibited erratic behavior and had a violent outburst during the incident. His mother, who had noticed his strange behavior and tremors, had been trying to get him to seek help.

On 13 August, 2025, a youth was filmed stumbling and falling onto the ground outside Serangoon MRT station. He appeared disoriented, with his legs giving way repeatedly as he tried to walk. The incident, believed to be a result of Kpod use, prompted members of the public to call for more action against the sale of these dangerous vapes to young people.

A news report mentioned a tragic case where a 19-year-old girl, Shermaine Tay, was found dead at the foot of her HDB block. Her death was ruled accidental following a fall but her father suspected that it was linked to Kpod use.

In Yishun, a man was sentenced to 16 months in prison for manufacturing and selling etomidate-laced Kpods. This was the first conviction of its kind in Singapore related to this specific drug-laced vape issue.

The police and HSA have conducted numerous operations to crack down on the illegal sale of Kpods. In one such operation, an alleged Kpod seller was apprehended in Bishan, and a total of over 800 pods with the majority believed to be Kpods, were seized.

In one night of raids on nightspots in Singapore, the police and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) checked over 640 people and seized more than 280 vapes. This is part of the broader, intensified enforcement efforts by authorities to curb the growing vaping problem.

CCTV footage of mother holding down her son trying to climb over the parapet. Photo from MustShareNews.

As of August 2025, five individuals have been formally charged in court for offenses related to Kpods, while 65 other cases are currently under investigation by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). These figures were released in a joint statement by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and HSA, highlighting the government's intensified efforts to combat the growing problem. The MHA is supporting the HSA by providing assistance to crack down on abusers and help with the rehabilitation of offenders.

CNA did an interview with a former Kpod addict who shares how he became addicted to the drug-laced vape.