Teen seen falling on MRT train allegedly vaping, HSA investigating

SINGAPORE: A 17-year-old teenager who was filmed walking unsteadily on an MRT train on 31 July was found to have a vape and pod in his possession. He is now assisting with investigations, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). A 15-second clip posted on Reddit showed the youth, dressed in a white shirt, appearing dazed as he stumbled towards the train doors before falling backwards.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, SMRT – which operates the North-South, East-West, Circle and Thomson-East Coast lines, as well as the Bukit Panjang LRT – said it was aware of the video, which allegedly involved the use of Kpods, or etomidate-laced vapes. “Our station staff were able to locate the male commuter who was observed to be vaping, escorted him out of our train and handed him over to the authorities,” said SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai. He added that the commuter was issued a notice of offence for breaching regulations. Such notices typically require the recipient to pay a composition penalty within a stipulated period. SMRT did not disclose which MRT line or station was involved. On 1 August, HSA confirmed the teen was assisting with investigations after being found with a vape device. Etomidate, the substance found in Kpods, is an anaesthetic drug classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. Its use is restricted to clinical settings under strict supervision. According to experts, etomidate can cause myoclonus – a type of muscle spasm described by patients as tremors. Symptoms of an overdose include unsteadiness, sluggishness and mental confusion. Lam said: “We take such illegal behaviour very seriously and strongly encourage commuters who encounter similar situations to report them.”

Stronger Enforcement Measures Coming

On 20 July, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that it is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This means that those found with vapes laced with etomidate will be subject to supervision and mandatory rehabilitation, similar to other drug offenders. Repeat offenders could face prosecution and jail terms. On 30 July, Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said MOH is considering additional legislation to tackle etomidate and similar substances. He added that the government is working closely with schools and parents to strengthen enforcement and raise awareness.

Previous Case Linked to Kpods

On 17 July, a 41-year-old man was charged with five offences under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act for allegedly manufacturing drug-laced electronic vapourisers in his Yishun flat. HSA said he had been producing e-vapouriser pods containing etomidate at home with the intent to sell them. Earlier this year, HSA said it was closely monitoring the use of Kpods. As of 30 June, 28 cases involving etomidate had been detected in 2024, CNA reported. More than 17,900 people were caught for possession and use of e-vapourisers between January 2024 and March 2025, according to a joint statement by HSA and MOH. To report vaping-related offences, members of the public can call the HSA hotline at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 between 9am and 9pm daily, including public holidays, or lodge a report online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape.