Clubs Risk Cancellation of Operating License for Any Drug Vape on Their Premises

 

Public entertainment outlets in Singapore, including bars, clubs, and nightlife establishments, now face severe consequences including the potential suspension or cancellation of their operating licenses if their staff or patrons are caught with drug-laced electronic vaporisers on the premises. This stringent stance specifically includes devices containing etomidate, also known as Kpods, which was officially listed as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act on September 1, 2025.

According to a police spokesman, the primary responsibility lies with the outlet itself to ensure that such prohibited items are not brought into or used within their establishments. As part of their existing licensing conditions, public entertainment outlets are already required to take all appropriate steps to prevent the sale, consumption, or trafficking of any controlled drugs on their premises. This obligation now explicitly includes etomidate.

The enforcement mechanism involves a demerit point system. If a drug-laced vaporiser is discovered on the premises, the outlet will be investigated and issued demerit points. Accumulating these points can lead to the suspension or outright cancellation of the venue's license. In the most severe cases, such as if the licensee, outlet operator, business owner, or a partner is personally caught with a drug-laced vape, the license can be suspended immediately without warning.

This clarification closes a previous regulatory gap. Before etomidate was classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act, it was listed only under the Poisons Act. This meant that even when authorities caught individuals abusing Kpods inside bars and clubs, they could not issue demerit points to the outlet itself. The new classification provides clear grounds for enforcement against the venues.

The warning comes as vaping persists in nightlife areas despite enhanced measures. From August 29 to September 6, 2025, multi-agency raids on 69 public entertainment outlets led to 26 people being caught for vape-related offenses. Among them was a 23-year-old man arrested for suspected drug consumption; the others were issued fines.

Penalties for individuals are also severe. Under the Tobacco Act, first-time adult offenders caught with a vaporiser face a $700 fine. Second-time offenders must undergo three months of rehabilitation. A third offense leads to prosecution and a fine of up to $2,000. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, etomidate abusers face a $700 fine and up to six months of rehabilitation for a first offense, with increasingly stringent measures for repeat offenders.