Taiwan on alert over threat of 'zombie vapes': a growing danger to public health
Taiwanese authorities are expressing growing concern over the spread of “zombie vapes,” e-cigarettes containing the restricted anesthetic etomidate. The devices, which are taking the black market by storm, have raised concerns among health professionals about their potentially serious side effects and their growing popularity, especially among young people.
Etomidate: a diverted anesthetic with alarming effects
Etomidate is an anesthetic classified as a central nervous system depressant, used in medicine for its sedative properties. But its misuse, as in the case of "zombie vapes", can cause harmful effects: irritability, disorganized behavior, tremors, involuntary muscle contractions and, in extreme cases, a risk of death. Lin Yi-ching, a pediatrician at Chung-Ho Hospital of Kaohsiung Medical University, warns against the use of this diverted substance, which is particularly dangerous in non-medical contexts.
Massive seizures: an illustration of the scale of the black market
Between July and October, Taiwanese authorities seized more than 14 zombie vape cartridges, in addition to liquids and powders used to make more than 000 million cartridges. These products are estimated to have a street value of NT$1,83 billion (approximately US$4,6 million). This impressive figure demonstrates the scale of this illegal trade and its lucrative potential, despite the risks it poses to public health.
Etomidate is currently listed as a Category 3 narcotic, but a review committee is considering reclassifying the substance as a Category 2 drug, increasing penalties and controls on its possession and distribution. The reclassification could allow for tougher crackdowns, according to Kuo Yung-fa, director general of the Justice Ministry's prosecution department.
A worrying phenomenon among young people despite the ban on vapes
E-cigarette use has increased significantly among young people in Taiwan in recent years. According to a survey by the Health Protection Administration, the percentage of vape users among middle school students increased from 1,9 percent in 2017 to 3,9 percent in 2021. Among high school students, the rate is even more alarming, having jumped from 3,4 percent to 8,8 percent during the same period.
Faced with this worrying trend, Taiwan banned e-cigarettes in 2023, instituting fines of up to NT$10 for offenders. However, the emergence of “zombie vapes” shows the limits of this ban, circumvented by black market networks targeting a young and vulnerable audience.
