A Series of Zombie Cigarette Possession and Use Cases Detected
Majority Involve Teens and Young Adults
The so-called "zombie cigarettes," illegal electronic cigarettes containing narcotic substances that have spread across Southeast Asia, are now rapidly proliferating among teenagers in Okinawa, southern Japan.
Recently, Japanese media outlet Post Seven reported, "Since the beginning of this year, zombie cigarettes have started to circulate in Okinawa's black market, showing signs of spreading."
According to the report, there have been numerous cases of people being caught possessing or using the illegal electronic cigarette known as "zombie cigarettes." From February to April this year, the Okinawa Prefectural Police seized approximately 150 units of liquid containing etomidate during investigations into traffic accidents and drug-related incidents. It was confirmed that these liquids were mainly possessed by people in their teens and twenties. The first crackdown in the prefecture took place on the 9th of last month, when police arrested two 20-year-old men in a park in Urasoe City for possession of liquid containing etomidate.
On the 10th of this month, a 16-year-old boy was arrested in Naha on suspicion of possessing zombie cigarettes. According to reports, when police arrived at the scene after a call from the boy's family, he was sitting in the living room with a vacant stare, making noises while his hands and feet convulsed.
On the 15th, police seized 0.2 grams of etomidate from the home of an 18-year-old man living in Ginowan City and arrested him.
Etomidate, the "Second Propofol"... Now Regulated in Japan
The zombie cigarettes in question contain etomidate, a general anesthetic induction agent. This drug, often referred to as the "second propofol," is used as a sedative, but it can cause severe drowsiness, slow breathing, low blood pressure, and nausea. In severe cases, it can lead to a loss of consciousness. In response, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare designated this drug as a regulated substance in May this year.
This drug began to be abused as a narcotic in China and Taiwan after 2023, and it is typically smuggled by mixing it into electronic cigarette liquids. In Taiwan, it is called "high-inducing cigarette" or "zombie cartridge," and has recently spread rapidly among people in their teens and twenties, prompting authorities to crack down as it emerges as a social issue.
The media outlet reported, "In Okinawa, it is being trafficked in liquid electronic cigarette form under the name 'laughing gas anesthesia,'" adding, "It is cheaper than marijuana, traded via apps such as Telegram, and appears to be reaching the hands of local high school and middle school students."
The Okinawa police stated that use of this drug has resulted in "impaired consciousness, intoxication without alcohol, and paralysis of the hands and feet," and have issued warnings to elementary, middle, and high schools in the prefecture through the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education.
Southeast Asia Cracks Down on "Zombie Cigarettes"... Harsher Penalties
Thailand has launched a strong crackdown as concerns over electronic cigarettes have grown. On the 27th, Ankunn Pruetsanusak, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, emphasized that teenagers must be aware of the dangers of zombie cigarettes and other drug-laced electronic cigarettes, and that parents should closely monitor their children for any signs of abnormal behavior.
Singapore has also greatly increased penalties, including introducing caning for distributors. Previously, importing or distributing narcotic electronic cigarettes containing etomidate carried a maximum prison sentence of two years, but this has been raised to up to 20 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane. Users of narcotic electronic cigarettes can also be fined up to 700 Singapore dollars (about 760,000 Korean won) and placed under supervision for up to one year.
In South Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 12th an amendment to the "Narcotics Control Act Enforcement Decree" that designates etomidate and similar substances as narcotics. Once designated as a narcotic, all stages from import to administration are subject to mandatory reporting, allowing for real-time government monitoring.
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