Vapes containing illicit drugs could result in harm over the summer, according to New Zealand’s drug early warning system High Alert.
Drug checkers have found vapes containing a range of substances, mainly the anaesthetic etomidate, in New Zealand since 2025. Overseas, etomidate misuse reports have been increasing over the past year.
The SMC asked experts to comment.
Professor Chris Wilkins, Associate Professor Marta Rychert, & Dr Robin van der Sanden, NZ Drug Research Team, Massey University, comment:
“”Space vapes” (also known as “space oil,” “k-pods,” or “eto”) are vape pods that have been detected in New Zealand that contain etomidate—a powerful, fast-acting medical anaesthetic—and various other unknown and potential risky substances.
“Preliminary data from the New Zealand Drug Trends Survey (NZDTS) (currently in the field) indicates use is low, although this can change quickly if greater importation make these products more widely available, particularly via social media networks. They may be seen as attractive drugs of choice during the coming summer festival season as they are easily disguised as regular vapes and hence avoid detection by festival security.
“Findings from the 2025 NZDTS (sample of 8,883 participants) found 19% of nicotine vape users reported purchasing vapes through the black or grey market in the past 6 months. Illicit vapes have no regulatory oversight and may contain psychoactive substances other than nicotine. The health impacts of illicit vapes remain poorly understood, although serious lung injury from illicit cannabis vapes have been reported in North America. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has noted spread of etomidate vapes from Asia to other regions and alerted the health sector of increasing harms. Harms from illicit vapes may also increase in NZ because vaping remains common in this group, vaping devices provide a discreet means of drug administration, and social media facilitate purchasing.
“Local NZ criminal manufacturers have long experience of importing various high risk new psychoactive substances as powders and other “party drugs”, exploiting loopholes in international drug control conventions and illicit international chemical supply. The compounds used are indiscriminate and often highly dangerous, manufacture is not standardised, and in the case of synthetic cannabinoids responsible for numerous drug overdoses and deaths in NZ in the past.
“Public warnings have been issued due to a sharp rise in hospitalisations, acute drug harm, and detections of manufacturing operations. NZ Customs intercepted 12 major shipments of raw etomidate (totalling 7.66kg and 100ml) between January and May 2026. The chemical powder and liquids primarily originate from India and Malaysia where there is a large unregulated chemical manufacture sector. Once in NZ, syndicates assemble them into domestic black-market vape pods.
“Etomidate is an intravenous sedative used in hospitals to induce anaesthesia. When vaped, it causes rapid-onset deep sedation, muscle jerking (myoclonus), dizziness, loss of coordination, and “zombie-like” blackout states.
“Testing by NZ drug checking services have revealed that these pods rarely contain just one drug. They are heavily adulterated with other substances with their own risk profiles including sedation and unconsciousness making users vulnerable to victimisation, such as ketamine, GBL/1,4-BD, pregabalin, methamphetamine, and synthetic cannabinoids. Mixing etomidate with other central nervous system depressants—such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines—accumulates risk of losing consciousness and overdose.
“Because there is zero quality control on the black market, you cannot identify the contents of a vape pod by sight, smell, or taste. It’s safest not to consume untested substances. If you or someone you know has purchased a suspect vape pod, take it to a free, legal, and completely confidential public drug checking clinic in New Zealand. You can find locations and schedules on The Level or High Alert. If testing isn’t possible, ensure a sober person who knows what you might have taken is present to call for medical help if things go wrong.”
Conflict of interest statement: Statement not yet received.
Associate Professor Fiona Hutton, Institute of Criminology, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University, comments:
“The appearance of vapes containing etomidate – first identified by drug checking in Aotearoa NZ in January 2025 – raises some important issues around the use of illicit drugs and harm reduction. Clear information around etomidate is available here and here.
“Those intending to use etomidate should make sure they are as informed as possible to minimise the risks associated with this particular substance. People should also be up front with others about what they think their vapes contain if they are going to share them. Likewise, those sharing others’ vapes should try and check in about what they contain to avoid any unexpected or unwelcome effects.
“One of the problems with vapes containing illicit substances is that they are unregulated so it is difficult to know exactly what substances are in them – it is worth getting vapes checked at drug checking clinics (see here for information), although it can be tricky to detect etomidate.
“That Police and venue/festival security may be unable to distinguish etomidate vapes from legal nicotine vapes could be a factor that drives their popularity – one of the harms of prohibition and is that it drives innovation in the illicit drug market which can in turn cause harm.
“The illicit drug market is subject to fluctuations as consumer preferences change and new ways of becoming intoxicated are sought. The value of harm reduction interventions such as drug checking and ‘High Alert‘ is clear in such a fluid environment.
“Knee-jerk, ‘moral panic’ type responses to new drug trends such as vapes containing etomidate should be avoided and harm reduction information included in reporting about this particular substance is encouraged.”
Conflict of interest statement: “I am on the board of KnowyourstuffNZ.”
Olivia Johnson, Senior Scientist, Forensic Drug Chemistry, PHF Science, comments:
“PHF Science has been involved in testing more than 300 vapes to understand nicotine label accuracy and regulatory compliance following changes made between 2020-2023.
“Since then, illicit drugs have also been detected in vapes in Aotearoa, including etomidate. Etomidate is a dissociative anaesthetic drug that can cause sedation and impairment, making a person feel detached or disconnected from their thoughts, body and physical environment.
“It’s not possible to tell what’s in a vape just by looking at it. Vapes (and any other substances) can be brought along to a free and confidential Drug Checking service and people can subscribe to High Alert notifications to get updates about potentially dangerous drugs.”
Conflict of interest statement: “No COI.”