BACKGROUND: E-vaporisers are rapidly gaining popularity, particularly among the younger demographic. They can be categorised as ENDS and ENNDS. While ENDS and ENNDS are prohibited in Singapore, there a still demand and supply of such products in the black market. Through vigilant enforcement efforts, attempts to smuggle, peddle and use such products are curbed by the confiscation of the items and penalties issued to the offenders.
METHODS: Samples from confiscated ENDS/ENNDS from the interdiction of smugglers, peddlers and users, were used for analysis via the various formats: pods, vape devices, and bottles of vape juice. Nicotine and etomidate were identified and quantified using chromatographic techniques, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid chromatography coupled with Diode Array Detection (DAD) and Mass Spectrometry (MS).
RESULTS: As expected, nicotine was detected in ENDS, while etomidate was found in ENNDS, often at high concentrations. The presence of etomidate, which belongs to the anaesthetic drug group, was discovered during recent analyses of ENNDS products. The extent of etomidate's inclusion in e-liquids remains relatively unknown, particularly in disposable pod-based products. These products, commonly marketed as “K-Pods,” contain vape juice mixed with etomidate — an anaesthetic traditionally used in emergency and non-surgical procedures.
CONCLUSIONS: Etomidate's inclusion in these products raises significant health concerns. Known for its ultra short-acting, non-barbiturate hypnotic properties, etomidate can pose hazards due to its pharmacological and side effects. Its use in non-nicotine e-vaporisers introduces unique risks, particularly with repeated exposure and through inhalation. Its presence in e-vaporisers could pose severe health risks, particularly for unsuspecting users and the younger population. While the public may already be aware of the dangers of nicotine-based products after decades of public health education, they are likely unaware of etomidate. This underscores the urgent need for regulatory action and heightened public awareness about the dangers associated with the use of ENDS/ENNDS.