4 Nov 2025

Anaesthetic laced vapes cause hospitalisations

From Checkpoint, 5:08 pm on 4 November 2025

A warning to beware illegal vapes after some laced with an anaesthetic drug have caused hospitalisations. Etomidate has been detected in illicit vapes sold under names like space oil, K pods and space vapes. The drug can cause a raft of symptoms including breathing difficulties, low blood pressure and loss of consicousness. Director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation Sarah Helm spoke to Lisa Owen.