A 15-year-old Myanmar national is making headlines after becoming the first foreigner in Singapore to have her long-term immigration status revoked due to possession of an e-vaporiser pod containing etomidate, commonly referred to as a Kpod. The young girl was caught during a routine police check on 14 November 2024, leading to a swift action by the authorities.
Details of the Case
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) confirmed that the Myanmar teenager was issued a Special Pass to aid in ongoing investigations. Following the finalisation of her case, she is set to be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore.
New Anti-Vaping Laws in Effect
These measures fall under Singapore’s enhanced anti-vaping framework that took effect on 1 September 2024. This legislation states that foreigners caught using or in possession of Kpods, or who test positive for etomidate, can face revocation of their immigration status and deportation.
Local Teen Arrested for Etomidate Abuse
In a related case, a 16-year-old Singaporean male was admitted to the Singapore Prison Service’s Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) on 27 November 2024, marking him as the first local to face such consequences after the new legislation was implemented. He is currently serving a two-month sentence for committing three offences related to etomidate.
- Timeline of Offences:
- 4 September 2024: First caught with a regular e-vaporiser.
- 2 October 2024: Caught with vapes testing positive for etomidate at home.
- 11 October 2024: Arrested again for possession and consumption of etomidate.
- 23 October 2024: Found behaving abnormally in a private-hire vehicle and arrested.
According to the authorities, the teen’s rehabilitation includes psychology-based programmes, family support, and community supervision for a total of 12 months post-discharge from the DRC. The tough penalties also extend to importers, sellers, and distributors of etomidate e-vaporisers, with potential prison sentences ranging from two to twenty years.
Getting Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with vaping or addiction, help is available:
- To report vaping offences, contact the Health Sciences Authority’s Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 / 6684-2037.
- For those looking to quit vaping, reach out to the Health Promotion Board’s I Quit programme at 1800-438-2000.
- For broader addiction support, check resources at the official HealthHub website.
These developments underline Singapore’s commitment to tackling drug-related issues among youths and maintaining safe community standards.