It starts innocently enough.

An 18-year-old student borrows a vape from a friend. It tastes sweet, it feels harmless, and it’s marketed online as “nicotine-free.” But weeks later, he receives a call from the authorities. Laboratory tests reveal that the vape he used contained etomidate, a powerful anaesthetic that has now been classified as a controlled drug under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).

What was meant to be fun has suddenly become a criminal investigation.This scenario is increasingly common. Singapore has now drawn a hard line: vaping is a serious drug offence.

What Is the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA)

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 (MDA) is Singapore’s main law that regulates the use of drugs. It outlines offences such as possession, consumption, and trafficking of controlled substances.

To better manage drug offences, the MDA groups drugs into three main classes; A, B, and C, based on how harmful each substance can be.

Class A

Class A drugs are considered the most dangerous. Examples include heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

Consequences:
These carry the harshest penalties:

Possession/ consumption: 5 to 20 years imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the can

Class B

Class B drugs are considered harmful. This category includes cannabis, codeine mixtures, and certain amphetamines.

Consequences:
Possession/ consumption: 3 to 20 years imprisonment and 3 to 10 strokes of the cane. 

Class C

Class C drugs are controlled substances and offences are also criminal. This group includes certain prescription-type medicines that can be abused and, from 1 September 2025, etomidate – the substance now linked to drug-laced vapes known as K-pods.

Consequences:

Possession/ consumption: 2 to 10 years imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane.

Trafficking of drugs: 

Long-term imprisonment, caning, and even the death penalty

Vaping in Singapore 

In Singapore, vaping (even without etomidate) has long been illegal under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA).

Under this law:

• Using/ possessing/ purchasing an e-vaporiser can result in a fine of up to $2,000.
• Selling, importing, or advertising vapes and their components can lead to a fine of $10,000 to $20,000, imprisonment of up to 6 to 12 months, or both.

How Etomidate and “K-Pods” Changed the Law

In 2024 and 2025, Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) detected a worrying trend: illegal vapes laced with etomidate, a hospital-grade anesthetic.

These K-pods look identical to regular vapes; same design, same packaging, except they contain a potent controlled drug. When inhaled, etomidate can cause side effects that include dizziness, blackouts, and dependency.

Since etomidate was not previously listed under the MDA, offenders could only be charged under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (TCASA).

The government officially classified etomidate as a Class C controlled drug from 1 September 2025. This reclassification means vapes containing etomidate are now treated as drug offences.

Regular Vapes vs. Drug-Laced Vapes (“K-Pods”) – What’s the Difference?

Although regular vapes and drug-laced vapes look almost identical, the law treats them very differently.

Regular Vapes (Nicotine-Based)

Regular vapes, which usually contain nicotine or flavouring, are governed by TCASA.

Under this law:

• Using/ possessing/ purchasing an e-vaporiser can result in a fine of up to $2,000.
• Selling, importing, or advertising vapes and their components can lead to a fine of $10,000 to $20,000, imprisonment of up to 6 to 12 months, or both.

These cases are handled by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) under the Ministry of Health.

Drug-Laced Vapes (Etomidate “K-Pods”)

Drug-laced vapes, often called K-pods, fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) because they contain etomidate, now a Class C controlled drug.

• Using or possessing such a vape can result to 2 to 10 years imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane 
• These cases are investigated by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

Because they look identical, the government has warned that anyone who vapes is taking a legal risk and may not even realise they are committing a serious drug offence.

What Does the Move to Class C Mean for You?

For users, this means you could face years of imprisonment and caning even if you were unaware of your vape’s contents.

For sellers or importers, your actions could now fall under the same laws that apply to drug traffickers.

What This Means for Organisations

For Employers and Schools

This change affects workplaces and educational institutions. Employers should update their policies to treat vaping as a potential drug-related issue. Schools could include this in anti-drug education to help students understand the legal and personal risks.

Practical steps include:

• Updating HR or student-discipline policies.
• Educating employees or students on vaping and drug laws.
• Reporting suspicious vape use promptly.
• Seeking legal advice for compliance reviews.

Why the Law Changed

Authorities discovered that an alarming 1 in 3 vapes seized contained etomidate or other controlled substances.
The government’s decision to list etomidate under the MDA is a direct response to this trend. It aims to deter young people from consuming or distributing drugs through vapes and to hold offenders accountable.

The message is clear: vaping is dangerous and criminal.

The Bottom Line: Vaping in Singapore is illegal.

Consequences are further amplified if your vape contains controlled drugs like etomidate.

• Regular vapes: Fines and prosecution under tobacco laws.
• Drug-laced vapes: Potential jail time, caning, and a criminal record.

One mistake could cost you your freedom, career, or future.