‘Grateful to driver who reported me to police’: Ex-Kpod addict who vaped in private-hire car
The 25-year-old was so hooked on Kpods he spent $4,000 in two weeks to feed his habit.
The ex-Kpod addict recounted how a ride in a private-hire car transformed his life on July 30, 2025. Jerome, a 25-year-old customer service worker, admitted to spending around $4,000 on Kpod vaping in just two weeks, often vaping in the back seat of private-hire cars. Despite the driver's stern warning, Jerome took a final puff before the driver stopped the car and called the police.
The driver informed Jerome they were reporting him for vaping before departing. Upon the officers' arrival, Jerome was fined $700 and ordered to attend mandatory rehabilitation for up to six months. The penalties for first-time etomidate abusers aged below 18 were $500, while those aged 18 and above faced a $700 fine, mandatory rehabilitation, and the possibility of a $10,000 fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA).
Jerome, who started smoking and vaping at 19, attributed his addiction to his first encounter with etomidate-laced Kpod in November 2025. He admitted that vaping made him feel like a tranquilliser, causing him to lose 8kg and his appetite. After his incident, Jerome underwent rehabilitation and credits the driver for reporting him, as his life now seemed set in a more positive trajectory.
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