"We Must Block It From Entering Korea"... The 'Zombie Cigarette' That Caused a Stir in China Rapidly Spreads Among Japanese Youth

2kg Smuggled via International Courier from Thailand
High Risk of Impaired Consciousness and Respiratory Depression
Evidence of Organized Crime Involvement Emerges

The so-called "zombie cigarette," which causes convulsions in the limbs and loss of consciousness, is rapidly spreading across Japan. Etomidate is a sedative used overseas for endoscopic examinations or anesthesia induction. However, when overdosed, it can cause side effects such as convulsions in the arms and legs, which has led to its nickname as the zombie cigarette. In response, the Japanese government has completely banned the use, import, possession, and sale of etomidate for non-medical purposes since May of this year.

Etomidate seized while attempting to smuggle it in a body lotion bottle. Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department

On December 11, TV Asahi and Nikkei reported that Japanese police had seized 2 kilograms of etomidate smuggled from Thailand via international courier on December 10 and arrested a 59-year-old Japanese man. The seized amount is worth about 20 million yen (approximately 18.8 million won), making it the largest seizure in Japan to date.

A Tokyo customs officer became suspicious of a package and discovered a bottle containing liquid etomidate during inspection. The delivery address was confirmed to be the suspect's home. Investigations revealed that the suspect had close ties to organized crime groups. A police official expressed concern, stating, "There is a possibility that organized smuggling involving crime syndicates could become widespread."

Illegal Distribution Trends Worldwide Amid Signs of SNS Sales and Organized Crime Involvement

Etomidate was developed in Europe in the 1960s as an antifungal agent but was later found to have sedative effects and is now used as an endoscopic sedative and anesthesia inducer. In Japan, it is an unapproved drug, and any use for non-medical purposes is illegal. The first signs of its spread appeared in Okinawa Prefecture. Earlier this year, there was a rise in cases where some young people mixed etomidate into e-liquid for electronic cigarettes and inhaled it, calling it "laughing gas anesthesia." According to Japanese police, there were a total of 16 cases detected nationwide from May to the end of October after the regulations were implemented. Okinawa accounted for 10 cases, the highest number, followed by Mie with 3 cases, Oita with 2 cases, and in Tokyo, a man in his 20s was arrested last month for possession.

Previously, videos of people staggering like zombies due to the effects of Etomidate also surfaced on social media in China, causing a shock. Weibo

In interviews with TV Asahi, young people in their 20s in Shibuya, Tokyo, said, "I've heard it's sold in places like parking lots," "It's easy to find just by searching on social media," and "I have a friend who was offered it." A drug dependency recovery support group in Okinawa stated, "There were no related consultations last year, but since April this year, we have been receiving family consultations," adding, "There are many cases of clouded consciousness and abnormal behavior after inhalation."

Experts warn that etomidate can cause respiratory depression, reduced circulatory function, and impaired consciousness, posing a threat to life. However, the ease of purchasing through social media is cited as the main reason for its spread. The man arrested by police testified, "I bought it through social media for 15,000 yen per bottle." Illegal distribution is also spreading worldwide. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), cases of illegal distribution have been confirmed in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. In 2024, Thai authorities uncovered a warehouse in Bangkok suspected of being a base for illicit production.

Nikkei reported that as crackdowns on cocaine and stimulants have intensified, criminal organizations have turned their attention to etomidate. In South Korea, illegal use of etomidate also increased after regulations on propofol abuse were tightened. The National Police Agency of Japan stated, "We will strengthen crackdowns on illegal distribution channels, including blocking imports, to prevent further spread," urging heightened vigilance.