You’ve most likely seen plenty of videos concerning vaping in Singapore. More specifically, the Kpod—a vape cartridge laced with etomidate, a powerful hospital-grade anaesthetic. These aren’t just nicotine vapes bought under-the-table. They’re part of a new wave of synthetic drug use dressed in the sleek, fruity disguise of modern vaping.
In a viral TikTok clip shot along Singapore’s Punggol Waterway in June 2025, a group of teens were seen behaving like they’re out of sync with reality—zombified, confused, and barely able to walk. A girl stands stiff, arms twitching. Another boy collapses onto the ground, his eyes unfocused.
Earlier in April, a 13-year-old girl vaping outside State Courts was recorded being unsteady, “oblivious of her surroundings”—a red flag for drug intoxication. There’s been countless other videos that showcased youths acting erratically, both in and out of their homes.
And they’re spreading fast.
From Pandemic Pivots to Teenage Backpacks
The rise of Kpods in Singapore and across Southeast Asia is part of a shift in the global drug trade. During COVID-19 lockdowns, conventional drug trafficking routes—especially those dealing in high-value imports like cocaine and MDMA—were severely disrupted. In response, several criminal groups retooled their business models.
Instead of relying on imported narcotics, syndicates began producing synthetic compounds locally. Etomidate, a short-acting sedative used in emergency rooms to knock patients out before intubation, fit the bill. Easy to source, easy to dissolve in vape liquid, and hard to detect in small doses, it became the base ingredient for a product that could be discreetly packaged and sold to an unsuspecting, younger audience. Some of the users are as young as 12 years old.
Kpods are often assembled in home labs or regional hubs like Malaysia, then sold through encrypted platforms such as Telegram or WhatsApp. Vendors market them with flashy names like “space oil” or “spice hits,” often boasting colourful packaging and sweet flavours. A check by Straits Times revealed a Kpod costing between S$50 and S$100. In some groups, buyers can place orders anonymously, pay via PayNow or crypto, and receive delivery through contactless drop-offs.
Surge in Local Cases, Global Warnings
In 2024, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) detected just five cases of etomidate-laced vape use in Singapore. But by mid-2025, that number had already surged to 28, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) expecting the real figure to be much higher due to underreporting.
The symptoms vary, but they follow a pattern: loss of coordination, seizures, sudden blackouts, and extreme confusion. Doctors at public hospitals now routinely report teens showing up unable to speak, walk, or respond—often after using what looks like a harmless vape pen.
Authorities warn that the drug’s impact is unpredictable and potentially fatal. A grieving Singaporean father recently shared his heartbreaking story of losing his 19-year-old daughter to Kpod addiction, after she died of multiple injuries after falling from a height. Another parent shared home CCTV videos of her sons – both in their mid 20s – showing disturbing signs of Kpod addiction in hopes to raise awareness of its dangers.
Illicit etomidate was also found in drug samples in Hong Kong, Cambodia, Macao, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In New Zealand, drug checking services have recently identified etomidate in vapes.
Why Teens Are Getting Hooked
The danger of Kpods lies in how unthreatening they appear. Unlike pills or powder, they come in flavours like mango, grape, or lychee. They look like any other vape device—slim, rechargeable, and even stylish. And because illegal vaping is already common in Singapore, the Kpod can slip easily into school bags, bedrooms, and after-school hangouts.
What makes things worse is how quickly misinformation spreads online. On Telegram, users swap stories about their highs, rate Kpods for potency, and recommend “microdosing” to avoid being caught. Many falsely believe that these pods are just “stronger vapes,” or a legal workaround. Some sellers even claimed to sell vape liquids with ketamine. Others think that because they’re not smoking weed or doing hard drugs, it’s not really dangerous.
But etomidate isn’t designed for recreational use. It’s meant to sedate patients in life-or-death situations under hospital supervision. Inhaling it directly through the lungs can disrupt neurological functions, lower oxygen levels, and cause lasting harm. And when teens don’t even know what’s inside the cartridge, there’s no way to dose safely.
What’s Being Done?
Singapore’s response has been urgent but measured. In July 2025, MOH issued a directive requiring all public hospitals to record and report Kpod cases, confiscate the devices, and encourage drug testing. Crucially, it states that no legal action will be taken against users who voluntarily seek medical help—a shift aimed at encouraging transparency and reducing fear of punishment.
Meanwhile, enforcement agencies have ramped up raids. In early 2025, over 8,700 vape-related items were seized, including a stash of suspected Kpods being shipped via delivery hubs. A 41-year-old man in Yishun was recently charged for manufacturing Kpods at home using raw etomidate powder.
Schools and social workers are also beginning to catch up. Programmes like HPB’s “I Quit” initiative offer support for nicotine addiction, while youth counsellors now include Kpods in their drug education sessions.
The Illusion of a Harmless High
Despite these efforts, the reality is that criminal groups have found a loophole. Illegal vaping is already widespread in Singapore, and many teens are already used to sourcing their devices through unofficial means. This creates an easy gateway for drug-laced cartridges to infiltrate social circles.
Unlike other drugs, there’s no telltale smell, no powder residue. Just a clean-looking vape and a promise of a stronger high.
But behind the fruity flavours and sleek packaging is a sedative strong enough to knock out trauma patients. And teens inhaling that, often without even knowing it, are taking risks far beyond what they imagine.
A Message That’s Not Just for Adults
If you or your friends are using vapes—especially those bought online—now’s the time to pause and ask what’s really inside.
The zombie videos are real. The blackouts, the seizures, the confusion—they’re all symptoms of something much darker than a trend.
Kpods aren’t just stronger vapes. They’re unregulated drugs, pushed through packaging that targets teens. And their rise is no accident. It’s the result of global criminal networks adapting to the times—while the most vulnerable users pay the price.
