🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 16 (from laksa066)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa016.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz60z98nzx7o\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz60z98nzx7o\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cz60z98nzx7o","crawl_time":1774154055,"first_indexed_time":1756370219,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bbc!www,\/news\/articles\/cz60z98nzx7o s443","src_root_hash":"1643509356818581016","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Kpods: Caning and fines for those caught in Singapore drug vape crackdown","meta_descriptions":["A rise in popularity of vapes laced with etomidate, an anaesthetic drug, has caused widespread alarm."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"28 August 2025\nTessa Wong\nBBC News, Singapore\nGetty  Images\nWhile Singapore was one of the first places in the world to ban vaping in 2018, the practice has persisted\nSingaporean authorities have announced tougher penalties for vaping as they try to crack down on the increasing use of drug-laced vapes in the country.\nThese include stiffer fines, longer jail terms and even caning. Foreigners may also be deported.\nWhile 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.\nThis has caused widespread alarm in the country which has some of the world's toughest drug laws.\nIn recent months, authorities have acknowledged the growing prevalence of etomidate-laced vapes, more popularly known as Kpods\nin Singapore. The nickname is short for \"ketamine pods\" and refers to how etomidate has similar effects to ketamine.\nA test of a random sample of 100 seized vapes in July found that a third contained etomidate.\nVideos of teenagers and young adults acting erratically in public while vaping have also gone viral on social media, sparking concern among Singaporeans who widely support the country's tough penalties on drug trafficking and use.\nHealth Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the tougher laws were needed as \"vapes have become a gateway for very serious substance abuse\" where the devices have become \"delivery devices\" for drugs.\nThe 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.\nThose 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.\nSuppliers of drug-laced vapes will face up to 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane.\nForeigners working in Singapore will not only face the same penalties, but also risk getting their residential and employment permits revoked, and may be deported and banned from re-entering the country.\nThe rules also apply to tourists. The BBC understands that signs will be placed throughout Changi Airport that will remind arriving visitors of the vaping ban, along with vape disposal bins so that users can get rid of their devices without facing penalties.\nThe rules are intended as an interim measure while the government comes up with new laws to deal with etomidate and any other drug that could be delivered through vapes.\nThese measures come on top of a large-scale public health campaign and enforcement programme.\nIn recent weeks the island has been blanketed with government advertisements on buses, trains and public areas urging people to stop vaping, while local media outlets have been awash with reports on the issue.\nVape disposal bins have been placed in community clubs and universities, while an anti-vaping health education programme has been rolled out in schools.\nAuthorities have also launched roving patrols of trains, bus terminals and parks, where officials can conduct spot checks on members of the public and search their bags.\nWith many of the vapes in Singapore coming from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, authorities have also stepped up checks at land crossings, the airport, and other points of entry into the island.\nSingapore's crackdown comes as other countries have moved to impose stiffer rules on vaping to curb the use among children and young people.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cz60z98nzx7o#main-content)\n\n[Register](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?action=register&userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcz60z98nzx7o)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcz60z98nzx7o)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/technology)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Arts](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arts)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/home)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n  - [US & Canada](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/us-canada)\n  - [UK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/uk)\n    - [UK Politics](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/politics)\n    - [England](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/england)\n    - [N. 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[Adventures](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel\/adventures)\n  - [The SpeciaList](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel\/specialist)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n  - [Science](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/innovation\/science)\n  - [Natural Wonders](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/natural-wonders)\n  - [Climate Solutions](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/solutions)\n  - [Sustainable Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/sustainable-business)\n  - [Green Living](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/green-living)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n  - [Podcast Categories](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio\/categories)\n  - [Radio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio\/stations)\n  - [Audio FAQs](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/undefined)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n  - [BBC Maestro](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video\/bbc-maestro)\n  - [Discover the World](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video\/discover-the-world)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n  - [Live News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live\/news)\n  - [Live Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live\/sport)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n\nNews\n\n[Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n\nBusiness\n\nTechnology\n\n[Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n\nCulture\n\nArts\n\nTravel\n\nEarth\n\nAudio\n\nVideo\n\nLive\n\n[Weather](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/weather)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/newsletters)\n\n# Caning and fines for those caught in Singapore drug vape crackdown\n28 August 2025\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\nTessa WongBBC News, Singapore\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\n![Getty Images A close-up of the lower half of a man's face as he exhales a white cloud of vape smoke, while he clutches a black coloured vape close to his face](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6b1b\/live\/ade729d0-83e6-11f0-ab3e-bd52082cd0ae.jpg.webp)Getty Images\n\nWhile Singapore was one of the first places in the world to ban vaping in 2018, the practice has persisted\n\nSingaporean authorities have announced tougher penalties for vaping as they try to crack down on the increasing use of drug-laced vapes in the country.\n\nThese include stiffer fines, longer jail terms and even caning. Foreigners may also be deported.\n\nWhile 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.\n\nThis has caused widespread alarm in the country which has some of the world's toughest drug laws.\n\nIn recent months, authorities have acknowledged the growing prevalence of etomidate-laced vapes, more popularly known as Kpodsin Singapore. The nickname is short for \"ketamine pods\" and refers to how etomidate has similar effects to ketamine.\n\nA test of a random sample of 100 seized vapes in July found that a third contained etomidate.\n\nVideos of teenagers and young adults acting erratically in public while vaping have also gone viral on social media, sparking concern among Singaporeans who widely support the country's tough penalties on drug trafficking and use.\n\nHealth Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the tougher laws were needed as \"vapes have become a gateway for very serious substance abuse\" where the devices have become \"delivery devices\" for drugs.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThose 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.\n\nSuppliers of drug-laced vapes will face up to 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane.\n\nForeigners working in Singapore will not only face the same penalties, but also risk getting their residential and employment permits revoked, and may be deported and banned from re-entering the country.\n\nThe rules also apply to tourists. The BBC understands that signs will be placed throughout Changi Airport that will remind arriving visitors of the vaping ban, along with vape disposal bins so that users can get rid of their devices without facing penalties.\n\n[My last legal puff as a Singapore vaper](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/av\/world-asia-42900963)\n\nThe rules are intended as an interim measure while the government comes up with new laws to deal with etomidate and any other drug that could be delivered through vapes.\n\nThese measures come on top of a large-scale public health campaign and enforcement programme.\n\nIn recent weeks the island has been blanketed with government advertisements on buses, trains and public areas urging people to stop vaping, while local media outlets have been awash with reports on the issue.\n\nVape disposal bins have been placed in community clubs and universities, while an anti-vaping health education programme has been rolled out in schools.\n\nAuthorities have also launched roving patrols of trains, bus terminals and parks, where officials can conduct spot checks on members of the public and search their bags.\n\nWith many of the vapes in Singapore coming from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, authorities have also stepped up checks at land crossings, the airport, and other points of entry into the island.\n\nSingapore's crackdown comes as other countries have moved to impose stiffer rules on vaping to curb the use among children and young people.\n\nIn June, [the UK banned the sale of disposable vapes](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/czxyny0w7wdo), after Belgium did so in January.\n\n[Australia has banned vaping](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-australia-65522841) in some form since 2023, starting with non-prescription vapes and then disposable vapes.\n\n[Singapore](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/c302m85qe3yt)\n\n[Asia](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/c5rznn0nvvyt)\n\n[Vaping](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/c779djgpgv8t)\n\n***\nRelated\n\n[US deports Singaporean vlogger convicted of child sex offences](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cj40xekver1o)\n\n[Dancers loved practising in this Singapore walkway. Then the complaints came](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c4g4q9xl4p6o)\n\n[Funeral for Royal Marine who survived WW2 prison](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c23zzmxkym8o)\n\n***\nMore from the BBC\n\n[7 hrs ago ![Jin, a K-pop star with a red microphone near his face, during BTS concert in Seoul](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4ac5\/live\/955684d0-2551-11f1-934f-036468834728.jpg.webp) Pop megastars BTS electrify historic centre of Seoul with comeback concert The world's biggest band returns after more than three years with a huge concert in the South Korean capital. 7 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cj371jr203ko)\n\n[15 hrs ago ![Three members of BTS perform onstage](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/9dc5\/live\/c3a870d0-2530-11f1-a79a-77e93010d956.jpg.webp) BTS make live return in front of huge crowd RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook perform together for the first time since October 2022. 15 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cge0dyjwezgo)\n\n[23 hrs ago ![A firefighter stands in front of a building as smoke and flames billow](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3a33\/live\/13ecc0c0-24cb-11f1-a79a-77e93010d956.jpg.webp) Watch: Thick smoke billows from South Korea car parts plant in deadly fire Eleven people were killed and dozens injured when a huge blaze engulfed a car parts factory in the central city of Daejeon. 23 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/videos\/c87wg74wlgyo)\n\n[1 day ago ![A group of women pose for the camera while attending prayers to mark the end of Ramadan](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4039\/live\/9f81f350-240b-11f1-8fe6-c5696d01f03e.jpg.webp) As Islamophobia rises, Australia's Muslims celebrate Eid Recent events abroad and at home have fuelled an ongoing surge of Islamophobia in Australia. 1 day ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cr410ezy312o)\n\n[2 days ago ![A woman holding a sheet of paper detailing where people can sign the petition. The woman has long brown hair which has been tied back, and is wearing a pink top.](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3650\/live\/03a20890-23a6-11f1-9699-87c229cb26a0.jpg.webp) States rejects vape shop's petition over new laws VapeBar Guernsey's petition got 1,300 signatures ahead of a new ban on under 18s in vape shops. 2 days ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cp86n1g17npo)\n***\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/technology)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Arts](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arts)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n- [Weather](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/weather)\n- [BBC Shop](https:\/\/shop.bbc.com\/)\n- [BritBox](https:\/\/www.britbox.com\/?utm_source=bbc.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=footer)\n\nBBC in other languages\n\n### The BBC is in multiple languages\n#### Read the BBC In your own language\n[Oduu Afaan Oromootiin](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/afaanoromoo)\n\n[Amharic ዜና በአማርኛ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/amharic)\n\n[Arabic عربي](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arabic)\n\n[Azeri AZƏRBAYCAN](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/azeri)\n\n[Bangla বাংলা](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bengali)\n\n[Burmese မြန်မာ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/burmese)\n\n[Chinese 中文网](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/zhongwen\/simp)\n\n[Dari دری](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/dari)\n\n[French AFRIQUE](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/afrique)\n\n[Hausa HAUSA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/hausa)\n\n[Hindi हिन्दी](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/hindi)\n\n[Gaelic NAIDHEACHDAN](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/naidheachdan)\n\n[Gujarati ગુજરાતીમાં સમાચાર](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gujarati)\n\n[Igbo AKỤKỌ N’IGBO](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/igbo)\n\n[Indonesian INDONESIA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/indonesia)\n\n[Japanese 日本語](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/japanese)\n\n[Kinyarwanda GAHUZA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gahuza)\n\n[Kirundi KIRUNDI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gahuza)\n\n[Korean 한국어](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/korean)\n\n[Kyrgyz Кыргыз](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/kyrgyz)\n\n[Marathi मराठी](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/marathi)\n\n[Nepali नेपाली](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/nepali)\n\n[Noticias para hispanoparlantes](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/mundo)\n\n[Pashto پښتو](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pashto)\n\n[Persian فارسی](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/persian)\n\n[Pidgin](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pidgin)\n\n[Polish PO POLSKU](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/polska)\n\n[Portuguese BRASIL](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/portuguese)\n\n[Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/punjabi)\n\n[Russian НА РУССКОМ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/russian)\n\n[Serbian NA SRPSKOM](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/serbian\/lat)\n\n[Sinhala සිංහල](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sinhala)\n\n[Somali SOMALI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/somali)\n\n[Swahili HABARI KWA KISWAHILI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/swahili)\n\n[Tamil தமிழில் செய்திகள்](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/tamil)\n\n[Telugu తెలుగు వార్తలు](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/telugu)\n\n[Thai ข่าวภาษาไทย](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/thai)\n\n[Tigrinya ዜና ብትግርኛ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/tigrinya)\n\n[Turkish TÜRKÇE](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/turkce)\n\n[Ukrainian УКРАЇНСЬКA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/ukrainian)\n\n[Urdu اردو](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/urdu)\n\n[Uzbek O'ZBEK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/uzbek)\n\n[Vietnamese TIẾNG VIỆT](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/vietnamese)\n\n[Welsh NEWYDDION](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/cymrufyw)\n\n[Yoruba ÌRÒYÌN NÍ YORÙBÁ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/yoruba)\n\nFollow BBC on:\n\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/terms-of-use)\n- [Subscription Terms](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/subscription-terms)\n- [About the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/aboutthebbc)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/privacy-policy)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/usingthebbc\/cookies\/)\n- [Accessibility Help](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/accessibility\/)\n- [Contact the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/contact)\n- [Advertise with us](https:\/\/advertising.bbcstudios.com\/)\n- [Do not share or sell my info](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/usingthebbc\/cookies\/how-can-i-change-my-bbc-cookie-settings\/)\n- [BBC.com Help & FAQs](https:\/\/help.bbc.com\/hc\/)\n- [Content Index](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/content-index)\n- [Set Preferred Source](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/article\/20260128-how-to-make-google-put-trusted-sources-up-top-when-you-search)\n\nCopyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [**Read about our approach to external linking.**](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/editorialguidelines\/guidance\/feeds-and-links)","attrs_readable_markdown":"28 August 2025\n\nTessa WongBBC News, Singapore\n\n![Getty Images A close-up of the lower half of a man's face as he exhales a white cloud of vape smoke, while he clutches a black coloured vape close to his face](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6b1b\/live\/ade729d0-83e6-11f0-ab3e-bd52082cd0ae.jpg.webp)Getty Images\n\nWhile Singapore was one of the first places in the world to ban vaping in 2018, the practice has persisted\n\nSingaporean authorities have announced tougher penalties for vaping as they try to crack down on the increasing use of drug-laced vapes in the country.\n\nThese include stiffer fines, longer jail terms and even caning. Foreigners may also be deported.\n\nWhile 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.\n\nThis has caused widespread alarm in the country which has some of the world's toughest drug laws.\n\nIn recent months, authorities have acknowledged the growing prevalence of etomidate-laced vapes, more popularly known as Kpodsin Singapore. The nickname is short for \"ketamine pods\" and refers to how etomidate has similar effects to ketamine.\n\nA test of a random sample of 100 seized vapes in July found that a third contained etomidate.\n\nVideos of teenagers and young adults acting erratically in public while vaping have also gone viral on social media, sparking concern among Singaporeans who widely support the country's tough penalties on drug trafficking and use.\n\nHealth Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the tougher laws were needed as \"vapes have become a gateway for very serious substance abuse\" where the devices have become \"delivery devices\" for drugs.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThose 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.\n\nSuppliers of drug-laced vapes will face up to 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane.\n\nForeigners working in Singapore will not only face the same penalties, but also risk getting their residential and employment permits revoked, and may be deported and banned from re-entering the country.\n\nThe rules also apply to tourists. The BBC understands that signs will be placed throughout Changi Airport that will remind arriving visitors of the vaping ban, along with vape disposal bins so that users can get rid of their devices without facing penalties.\n\nThe rules are intended as an interim measure while the government comes up with new laws to deal with etomidate and any other drug that could be delivered through vapes.\n\nThese measures come on top of a large-scale public health campaign and enforcement programme.\n\nIn recent weeks the island has been blanketed with government advertisements on buses, trains and public areas urging people to stop vaping, while local media outlets have been awash with reports on the issue.\n\nVape disposal bins have been placed in community clubs and universities, while an anti-vaping health education programme has been rolled out in schools.\n\nAuthorities have also launched roving patrols of trains, bus terminals and parks, where officials can conduct spot checks on members of the public and search their bags.\n\nWith many of the vapes in Singapore coming from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, authorities have also stepped up checks at land crossings, the airport, and other points of entry into the island.\n\nSingapore's crackdown comes as other countries have moved to impose stiffer rules on vaping to curb the use among children and young people.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	28 August 2025 Tessa Wong BBC News, Singapore Getty Images While Singapore was one of the first places in the world to ban vaping in 2018, the practice has persisted 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. The nickname is short for "ketamine pods" and refers to how etomidate has similar effects to ketamine. A test of a random sample of 100 seized vapes in July found that a third contained etomidate. Videos of teenagers and young adults acting erratically in public while vaping have also gone viral on social media, sparking concern among Singaporeans who widely support the country's tough penalties on drug trafficking and use. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the 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. Foreigners working in Singapore will not only face the same penalties, but also risk getting their residential and employment permits revoked, and may be deported and banned from re-entering the country. The rules also apply to tourists. The BBC understands that signs will be placed throughout Changi Airport that will remind arriving visitors of the vaping ban, along with vape disposal bins so that users can get rid of their devices without facing penalties. The rules are intended as an interim measure while the government comes up with new laws to deal with etomidate and any other drug that could be delivered through vapes. These measures come on top of a large-scale public health campaign and enforcement programme. In recent weeks the island has been blanketed with government advertisements on buses, trains and public areas urging people to stop vaping, while local media outlets have been awash with reports on the issue. Vape disposal bins have been placed in community clubs and universities, while an anti-vaping health education programme has been rolled out in schools. Authorities have also launched roving patrols of trains, bus terminals and parks, where officials can conduct spot checks on members of the public and search their bags. With many of the vapes in Singapore coming from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, authorities have also stepped up checks at land crossings, the airport, and other points of entry into the island. Singapore's crackdown comes as other countries have moved to impose stiffer rules on vaping to curb the use among children and young people.
Markdown	[Skip to content](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz60z98nzx7o#main-content) [Register](https://session.bbc.com/session?action=register&userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcz60z98nzx7o) [Sign In](https://session.bbc.com/session?userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcz60z98nzx7o) - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business) - [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology) - [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health) - [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture) - [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts) - [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel) - [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet) - [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio) - [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video) - [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live) - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/home) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [US & Canada](https://www.bbc.com/news/us-canada) - [UK](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk) - [UK Politics](https://www.bbc.com/news/politics) - [England](https://www.bbc.com/news/england) - [N. 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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 Kpodsin Singapore. The nickname is short for "ketamine pods" and refers to how etomidate has similar effects to ketamine. A test of a random sample of 100 seized vapes in July found that a third contained etomidate. Videos of teenagers and young adults acting erratically in public while vaping have also gone viral on social media, sparking concern among Singaporeans who widely support the country's tough penalties on drug trafficking and use. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the 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. Foreigners working in Singapore will not only face the same penalties, but also risk getting their residential and employment permits revoked, and may be deported and banned from re-entering the country. The rules also apply to tourists. The BBC understands that signs will be placed throughout Changi Airport that will remind arriving visitors of the vaping ban, along with vape disposal bins so that users can get rid of their devices without facing penalties. [My last legal puff as a Singapore vaper](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-42900963) The rules are intended as an interim measure while the government comes up with new laws to deal with etomidate and any other drug that could be delivered through vapes. These measures come on top of a large-scale public health campaign and enforcement programme. In recent weeks the island has been blanketed with government advertisements on buses, trains and public areas urging people to stop vaping, while local media outlets have been awash with reports on the issue. Vape disposal bins have been placed in community clubs and universities, while an anti-vaping health education programme has been rolled out in schools. Authorities have also launched roving patrols of trains, bus terminals and parks, where officials can conduct spot checks on members of the public and search their bags. With many of the vapes in Singapore coming from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, authorities have also stepped up checks at land crossings, the airport, and other points of entry into the island. Singapore's crackdown comes as other countries have moved to impose stiffer rules on vaping to curb the use among children and young people. In June, [the UK banned the sale of disposable vapes](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxyny0w7wdo), after Belgium did so in January. [Australia has banned vaping](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-65522841) in some form since 2023, starting with non-prescription vapes and then disposable vapes. 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Readable Markdown	28 August 2025 Tessa WongBBC News, Singapore ![Getty Images A close-up of the lower half of a man's face as he exhales a white cloud of vape smoke, while he clutches a black coloured vape close to his face](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6b1b/live/ade729d0-83e6-11f0-ab3e-bd52082cd0ae.jpg.webp)Getty Images While Singapore was one of the first places in the world to ban vaping in 2018, the practice has persisted 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 Kpodsin Singapore. The nickname is short for "ketamine pods" and refers to how etomidate has similar effects to ketamine. A test of a random sample of 100 seized vapes in July found that a third contained etomidate. Videos of teenagers and young adults acting erratically in public while vaping have also gone viral on social media, sparking concern among Singaporeans who widely support the country's tough penalties on drug trafficking and use. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the 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. Foreigners working in Singapore will not only face the same penalties, but also risk getting their residential and employment permits revoked, and may be deported and banned from re-entering the country. The rules also apply to tourists. The BBC understands that signs will be placed throughout Changi Airport that will remind arriving visitors of the vaping ban, along with vape disposal bins so that users can get rid of their devices without facing penalties. The rules are intended as an interim measure while the government comes up with new laws to deal with etomidate and any other drug that could be delivered through vapes. These measures come on top of a large-scale public health campaign and enforcement programme. In recent weeks the island has been blanketed with government advertisements on buses, trains and public areas urging people to stop vaping, while local media outlets have been awash with reports on the issue. Vape disposal bins have been placed in community clubs and universities, while an anti-vaping health education programme has been rolled out in schools. Authorities have also launched roving patrols of trains, bus terminals and parks, where officials can conduct spot checks on members of the public and search their bags. With many of the vapes in Singapore coming from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, authorities have also stepped up checks at land crossings, the airport, and other points of entry into the island. Singapore's crackdown comes as other countries have moved to impose stiffer rules on vaping to curb the use among children and young people.
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