Singapore authorities have announced tougher measures against the use of electronic cigarettes, especially those laced with drugs, in an attempt to curb the growth of the phenomenon in the city-state with the strictest drug laws in the world.
The new measures include steep fines, longer prison sentences and up to 15 strokes of the cane for those caught supplying or using e-cigarettes laced with substances such as etomidate — an anesthetic drug with effects similar to ketamine, known in Singapore as “Kpods.”
Foreigners who are caught can be deported and banned from returning to the country.
Singapore banned the use of e-cigarettes in 2018, but in recent months there has been a sharp increase in their use, especially with illicit substances. Recent testing has shown that a third of e-cigarettes seized in July contained etomidate.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said e-cigarettes have become "delivery devices" for drugs and that stricter laws are needed to prevent their abuse.
Penalties for users will start with fines of 500 Singapore dollars and mandatory rehabilitation, while suppliers of drugged e-cigarettes risk up to 20 years in prison and caning.
The government has also put in place educational and control measures, including public advertisements, bins for disposing of e-cigarettes in educational institutions and clubs, and mobile patrols in public places to check on users.
The rules will come into effect on September 1 and apply to everyone, including tourists and foreign workers in Singapore. Information boards and bins for disposing of e-cigarettes have been installed at Changi Airport to avoid penalties.
Singapore's measures come at a time when other countries have also tightened regulations on e-cigarettes, such as the United Kingdom, Belgium and Australia.
