SINGAPORE – Public entertainment outlets risk losing their licence if their staff or patrons are caught with drug-laced vapes, including devices laced with etomidate, also known as Kpods.

Etomidate was

listed as a Class C drug

from Sept 1.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a police spokesman said the onus is on the outlet to ensure drug-laced vapes are not brought into its premises.

“As part of their existing licensing conditions, public entertainment outlets are required to comply and to take all appropriate steps to ensure that the sale, consumption or trafficking of controlled drugs, including etomidate, are not committed in their premises,” he said.

The spokesman added that if caught, the public entertainment outlets will be investigated and issued demerit points that can lead to the suspension or cancellation of their licence.

The licence can also be suspended immediately if the licensee, outlet operator, business owner or partner is caught with a drug-laced vape.

Vaping is not listed under the licensing rules for public entertainment outlets, and while there were licensing requirements relating to drugs, there were no explicit rules targeting the abuse of etomidate.

This meant that even when the authorities caught Kpod abusers inside bars and clubs, they could not issue demerit points to the outlet.

Etomidate was previously listed under the Poisons Act, but it has been listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) since Sept 1.

Vaping has persisted in nightlife outlets despite the introduction of a

slew of measures

to tackle vaping and Kpods, including enhanced enforcement and greater public education.

Young clubgoers were

spotted sneaking puffs

inside and around popular clubs like Zouk, Drip and Marquee even after the roll-out of stricter action.

From Aug 29 to Sept 6,

26 people were caught for vape-related offences during

multi-agency raids on 69 public entertainment outlets.

They include a 23-year-old man who was arrested for suspected drug consumption. The others were issued fines.

Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, first-time vape offenders above 18 are issued $700 fines, while second-time offenders have to attend rehabilitation for three months.

Those caught a third or subsequent time face prosecution and a fine of up to $2,000.

Under the MDA, etomidate abusers above 18 are issued $700 fines and made to attend rehabilitation for up to six months the first time they are caught.

If caught a second time, they must undergo mandatory supervision for six months, including drug testing and rehabilitation.

Those caught a third or subsequent time are sent to a drug rehabilitation centre where they undergo drug testing and supervision for 12 months.

The police spokesman said public entertainment outlets should take steps to prevent lawbreaking on their premises.

The spokesman said: “They should ensure that there is no sale, consumption or trafficking of controlled drugs committed by any employee while on duty, any patron or other person in the licensed premises.”

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