Lee Hsien Loong says Budget 2025 to support Singapore amid US tariffs; Mother jailed 19 years, boyfriend gets 30 for child abuse in Megan Khung case: Singapore live news

In a swift response to a social media video of a woman vaping on Singapore’s MRT, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and local authorities raided her home, discovering e-vaporiser pods containing the potent anaesthetic etomidate.

The 24-year-old woman, filmed on 13 March, has been identified, and HSA is now conducting a detailed investigation.

The video, which quickly went viral, shows the woman vaping openly on the train, drawing immediate attention from authorities.

The subsequent raid on her residence on 24 March revealed the e-vaporiser and three pods, which were later tested and found to contain etomidate.

This substance, typically used for sedation and general anaesthesia in medical settings, can cause severe side effects, including nausea, muscle spasms, seizures, and even psychosis.

Singapore maintains strict laws prohibiting the purchase, possession, and use of e-vaporisers under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.

Offenders face fines of up to $2,000, but the possession of etomidate pods takes the case further.

Under the Poisons Act, individuals found in possession of such substances can face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The HSA has stressed its commitment to enforcing these laws, taking serious action against those who defy the regulations, especially in public spaces like the MRT.

Authorities have also reiterated the dangers of vaping, particularly when it involves controlled substances like etomidate, which can cause significant health risks if used improperly.

As the investigation continues, the HSA is working to determine whether the woman was involved in the illegal distribution of e-vaporisers or controlled substances. Singaporean authorities have made it clear that they will continue to monitor and act against vaping violations with zero tolerance.

Read on the HSA’s crack down on the woman filmed vaping on the MRT here.