‘Grateful to driver who reported me to police’: Ex-Kpod addict who vaped in private-hire car
A 25-year-old man in Singapore was fined and ordered to undergo rehabilitation after being caught vaping in a private-hire vehicle. The incident highlights the country's strict enforcement of anti-vaping laws, particularly regarding substances like etomidate.
Why it matters
This case illustrates the severe legal consequences for vaping in Singapore and the government's aggressive approach to curbing the use of illicit e-vaporisers.
Jerome, 25, was fined $700, and ordered to attend mandatory rehabilitation after being caught vaping in a private-hire car in December 2025.
Listen Summarise Jerome, 25, was fined $700 and sent to mandatory rehabilitation after vaping in a private-hire car. He was addicted to Kpods, spending $4,000 in two weeks, and suffered from weight loss and slurred speech, and was in a zombie-like state. Rehabilitation helped Jerome overcome his addiction through counselling and lifestyle changes. AI generated
SINGAPORE – Hooked on Kpods, or e-vaporisers filled with etomidate, Jerome, 25, spent around $4,000 in two weeks to feed his habit, taking puffs at will.
A ride in a private-hire car in December 2025 changed all that.
En route from his grandmother’s home in Choa Chu Kang to meet a friend in Seletar, Jerome vaped in the back seat.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in