Singapore to introduce new laws on e-vaporisers, keep etomidate listed under drug law
Singapore will introduce new laws in the first half of 2026 to tackle the e-vaporiser problem, with provisions also covering etomidate, an anaesthetic agent found in some vape products known as Kpods.
Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam said etomidate will remain listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) while the Ministry of Health drafts amendments to current laws. He said a Bill will be tabled in Parliament in the first half of 2026.
Shanmugam, who is also Home Affairs Minister, said this in a written parliamentary reply on February 4 to a question from MP Ng Shi Xuan on the government’s plans to strengthen laws related to vaping.
Singapore vape laws and upcoming legislative changes
The planned amendments come as temporary provisions introduced to allow tougher penalties for etomidate-related offending are due to expire on February 28, 2026.
Etomidate was listed under the MDA as a Class C drug from September 1, 2025, following a rise in reports of young people using etomidate-laced vapes, commonly referred to as Kpods. The government has used the temporary provisions to respond to abuse and trafficking involving the substance while longer-term legislative updates are prepared.
Etomidate risks and previous classification
Etomidate has been associated with serious adverse effects when vaped, including spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis.
Before its listing under the MDA, etomidate was classified under the Poisons Act as a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice. Authorities have since moved to address its misuse in vaping products as part of broader enforcement against e-vaporisers.
Enforcement posture and sentencing approach
Singapore maintains a strict stance against vaping, and the Health Sciences Authority has sought higher sentences in e-vaporiser cases, taking into account factors such as the quantity involved and the potential impact on public health.
The government said the forthcoming Bill will provide a longer-term legal framework to address both e-vaporisers and substances such as etomidate, as enforcement agencies continue operations against supply and use.
