SINGAPORE: More than 280 e-vaporisers have been seized after the authorities raided pubs, bars and KTV lounges islandwide on Friday (Aug 15).
In all, more than 640 people were checked by officers from the Singapore Police Force, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and other agencies, including the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).
HSA said on Aug 16 that it will be working with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA) to remind patrons to report vaping activities to the authorities.
In that statement, HSA said that of the 640 people checked during raids a day earlier, 115 people aged 17 to 61 were caught for vape-related offences.
They included five who were caught with suspected etomidate vapes, or Kpods.
HSA said eight vape pods suspected to contain etomidate were confiscated.
The Aug 15 raids come a day after the Ministry of Health (MOH) and HSA said more than 100 people were being investigated for vape offences, amid an intensified crackdown against Kpods.
The media was invited to witness the raids at a club and karaoke lounge along Coleman Street, off North Bridge Road.
CNB officers were also spotted conducting their own investigations. There were five officers, including one who was holding a metal briefcase, but they did not speak to the media.
After patrons were rounded up at the first outlet, a man and a woman who were suspected Kpod users were separated and questioned by HSA officers in different rooms.
Both were silent when the media arrived and turned away from the cameras.
At least 13 vape devices, all in different colours and sizes and looking like pens and highlighters, were seized from the pair and laid out on tables in front of them.
At the second club, HSA officers questioned a group of three men and a woman after nine vape devices were found on them. The vapes also came in a myriad of colours.
Superintendent of Police (Supt) Esther Koh, head of operations at Central Police Division, said: “We will continue to work with other agencies to clamp down on illicit activities and support HSA’s efforts to crack down on the use of e-vaporisers.”
On working with SNBA, HSA said signages will be prominently displayed warning patrons that vaping is illegal. HSA added nightlife businesses have been urged to deny entry to those found with vape devices, or vaping.
The signage will also feature a QR code linked to HSA’s online reporting portal, allowing patrons and staff to report vaping offences.
HSA’s chief executive officer, adjunct professor (Dr) Raymond Chua, said: “Working with industry partners like SNBA helps strengthen ground-level deterrence and is an important part of HSA’s strategy to combat illegal vaping.
“Vaping has no place in daily life, including Singapore’s nightlife entertainment scene. All nightlife establishments should work with us to keep their venues vape-free and report any illegal activities to the authorities.”
Danny Loong, president of SNBA said he is committed to ensuring nightlife venues remain safe, responsible and compliant with the law.
“By supporting this initiative and making reporting channels easily accessible, we hope to protect the health of our patrons and staff, and preserve a positive nightlife experience for all,” said Loong.
On Aug 3, The Straits Times reported on a pervasive vaping culture within clubs in Singapore. Despite bag checks, many young patrons were spotted puffing on their devices on the dance floors inside the clubs.
The Aug 15 raids come after Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam had said on July 30 that officers from his ministry will be seconded to support HSA in enforcement efforts. These will include the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of etomidate abusers.
He added that as an interim measure, the Ministry of Home Affairs will list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), while they continue to support MOH as it decides on further legislative actions to take against Kpod offenders.
Etomidate is currently classified as a poison and regulated under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years.
Once etomidate is listed as a Class C drug, users can be subjected to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, like what drug abusers undergo.
Repeat offenders can be jailed for at least a year.
More severe penalties will apply to those selling, distributing or importing these devices, including imprisonment of up to 20 years and caning.
Etomidate is meant for use only during medical procedures. When vaped, etomidate enters the lungs directly, potentially triggering spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis.
On Aug 13, a 41-year-old Singaporean man pleaded guilty to producing etomidate-laced pods for sale, making it the first conviction for Kpod-related offences in court.
To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA reporting hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays.
The public can do so online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape
If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@sph.com.sg
- The Straits Times/ANN
