Vaping ‘space oil’ could lead to one-year imprisonment

The Legislative Assembly (AL) passed an amendment to the bill on Prohibition of Illegal Production, Trafficking and Abuse of Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances during a plenary session Wednesday afternoon.

Vaping etomidate will now carry criminal penalties, with offenders facing up to one year in prison.

The revision adds 24 substances to the drug control law’s annex, including etomidate – the core compound in the dangerous e-cigarette drug “space oil” – and its three substances: metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate.

Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak explained that among the 23 newly internationally controlled substances adopted by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs last year, three are already regulated under Macau’s drug control law.

The remaining 20 substances and 18 precursors had not yet been included in the law’s annex.

To fulfill international obligations, the amendment ensures these substances are enforceable in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).

Wong noted that four new types of drugs, etomidate and its substances, have emerged in neighboring regions in recent years.

Although not internationally controlled, these substances pose serious public health risks, added the Secretary for Security. Mainland China and Hong Kong have already listed them as controlled substances, increasing the risk of abuse in Macau.

Four-tiered criminal penalties and controls

Macau already fully bans the manufacture, distribution, sale, import, and export of e-cigarettes under the Tobacco Control Law, with stricter regulations than neighboring regions.

Lawmakers raised concerns about drug trafficking and enforcement challenges, particularly hidden drug abuse. Wong noted that the Anti-Drug Committee has implemented targeted measures, including requiring hotels to cooperate with police investigations.

Wong emphasized that once etomidate is classified as a controlled substance, trafficking or consumption will be criminally punishable.

While e-cigarettes themselves are not drugs, if used as drug paraphernalia, e-liquids containing etomidate will be subject to four layers of regulation: criminal penalties for trafficking or consumption, a ban on e-cigarette devices used for drug ingestion (Tobacco Control Law), enhanced cross-border enforcement, and strict liability for businesses (e.g., hotels) failing to report drug activity.

A regional epidemic?

While rare outside Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, “space oil” has surged in popularity among youth under 21. In Hong Kong – schools, including international institutions – have issued warnings, with the Education Bureau (EDB) mandating drug awareness campaigns.

“My daughter’s school (an international school) sent circulars and infographics to parents about this,” shared one Hong Kong parent with the Times.

Ken, another expat in Hong Kong who wanted to be known only by his first name, told the Times, “I first learned of it [space oil] through government posters in the MTR. It’s mostly young locals using it – you see them collapsing in public.”

He added, “From what I understand, most of these kids are getting hooked without knowing what they’re really smoking.”

In July 2024, the Commissioner for Narcotics wrote to all primary schools and secondary schools in Hong Kong, reminding the education sector to stay alert to “space oil.”