Singapore Father Turns Grief into Action to Protect Teens from Harmful Vapes

Since losing his only daughter in a fall from their high-rise apartment in Singapore, Delfard Tay has transformed his grief into a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of drug-laced vaping products among youth. Shermaine, 19, struggled with substance abuse before her tragic death last year, initially vaping nicotine but later using dangerous substances like etomidate—an anesthetic that can cause hallucinations, seizures, and erratic behavior. Her father recounted how she introduced him to this new form of high. Despite vaping being illegal in Singapore since 2018, a new crackdown has intensified, especially targeting KPods—vapes infused with synthetic drugs like ketamine and etomidate—often marketed under enticing names like 'zombie spice' or 'space oil' with fruity flavors to attract young users. These products are easily found online, notably on platforms like Telegram, despite their illegal status. The government has responded with stricter laws, including hefty fines, mandatory rehabilitation, or even caning for repeat offenders, and severe penalties for selling or importing such devices. Recently, Singapore deployed 10,000 officers to enforce these measures, with hundreds of arrests made within just weeks of policy implementation. Shermaine’s tragic death has been a powerful catalyst, motivating her father to speak out through videos and participate in government campaigns to warn about the risks of vaping. Authorities have also raised alarms about reports of teens exhibiting zombielike behavior after using KPods—video footage of a 17-year-old disoriented in a train highlights the escalating dangers. The products, often smuggled from neighboring Malaysia where vaping is legal, are increasingly dangerous, with authorities fearing more potent drugs could be added. Despite the ban, some advocates warn that prohibition could push the illegal trade underground, but for Delfard Tay, preventing more tragedies is paramount. He hopes his story discourages youth from experimenting with these hazardous products, emphasizing that such vapes threaten their health, dreams, and future.