Vaping with “space oil” will now face grave consequences as the compounds are now classified as dangerous drugs in Hong Kong.
While the government tightens control on vaping, a trend emerged recently of vaping with “space oil”, which produces the sensation of euphoria or a “headrush”.
To combat the trend, the government has further tightened control of the psychoactive ingredient, an anaesthetic, by classifying it as a dangerous drug.
Etomidate is an anaesthetic used in surgery and emergency medicine. In the past, it has been a prescription drug and classified as a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138). Possession of which is a criminal offence.
On 14 February 2025, following the gazette of Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2025, etomidate and its three chemical analogues (metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate) became dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap 134). Possession and trafficking of these compounds are gravely serious offences, liable to long-term imprisonment.
While vapes are not by themselves illegal, the use of nicotine oil and space oil are criminal offences. The latter will face even more grave consequences.
Gordon Chan, Esq
Barrister-at-law, Archbold Hong Kong Editor on Public Health, and Member of the Bar Association's Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure. Specialised in medical, technology and criminal law.
