‘Grateful to driver who reported me to police’: Ex-Kpod addict who vaped in private-hire car
A former Kpod addict expresses gratitude to a driver who reported his illegal vaping to the police.Summary
Jerome, a 25-year-old customer service worker, became addicted to Kpods—e-vaporisers laced with the sedative etomidate—after accidentally using one in late 2025. His addiction led to significant financial loss and weight loss. His habit was interrupted when a private-hire car driver reported him to the police after he refused to stop vaping in the vehicle.
Following the incident, Jerome was fined $700 and ordered to undergo mandatory rehabilitation. Under Singapore's Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA), penalties for using Kpods are severe, including potential fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment.
Jerome credits the driver's decisive action for saving him from his addiction. Through three months of counseling with a social worker, he successfully quit vaping by focusing on his passion for cooking and avoiding peer pressure.
(Source：The Straits Times)
