Singaporean authorities have announced tougher penalties for vaping as they try to crack down on the increasing use of drug-laced vapes in the country.
These include stiffer fines, longer jail terms, and even caning. Foreigners may also be deported.
While Singapore was one of the first places in the world to ban vaping in 2018, the practice has persisted and in recent months the city-state has seen a rise in popularity of vapes laced with etomidate, an anaesthetic drug.
This has caused widespread alarm in the country which has some of the world's toughest drug laws.
In recent months, authorities have acknowledged the growing prevalence of etomidate-laced vapes, more popularly known as Kpods in Singapore. A test of a random sample of 100 seized vapes in July found that a third contained etomidate.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that tougher laws were needed as vapes have become a gateway for very serious substance abuse where the devices have become delivery devices for drugs.
The government has sharpened its penalties for vaping, while reclassifying etomidate as a Class C controlled drug for six months. The new rules will come into effect on 1 September.
Those caught using or possessing vapes - even regular ones - will face increased fines starting from S$500 (£288; $390) and state-mandated rehabilitation. The penalties will be even harsher for those caught with etomidate-laced vapes.
Suppliers of drug-laced vapes will face up to 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane.
Authorities have also launched an extensive public health campaign, with advertisements urging people to stop vaping and placing vape disposal bins throughout Changi Airport to facilitate compliance among arriving tourists.
