Taipei: The Cabinet on Thursday introduced a legal revision proposing the use of saliva tests to identify users of the illicit narcotic etomidate, as part of an intensified effort to address the growing issue of "zombie vapes."
According to Focus Taiwan, the government's initiative aims to confront public safety concerns posed by electronic cigarettes containing etomidate. Premier Cho Jung-tai highlighted the importance of timely testing due to etomidate's short half-life, which can lead to negative results if delayed. During a Cabinet meeting, Cho approved an amendment to the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, allowing authorities to conduct saliva tests alongside urine tests to enhance drug prevention measures.
Ministry of Justice (MOJ) official Chang Hsiao-wen explained the proposal targets specific professionals, including medical workers, teachers, and police officers, to ensure they are not using illicit narcotics.
In a related move, the Cabinet also proposed amendments to increase penalties for drug-impaired driving. The new measures would revoke the driver's license of offenders, prohibit retaking the test for three years, and confiscate their vehicles. Current regulations impose a one to two-year suspension of driving privileges.
The amendments also suggest escalating fines for drug-impaired driving, with first-time offenders facing maximum fines of NT$90,000 for scooter riders and NT$120,000 for other motorists. Fines would increase by NT$90,000 with each subsequent offense, with no upper limit. Additionally, passengers aged 18 and older who knowingly accompany a drug-impaired driver would face fines ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$15,000.
Premier Cho further announced forthcoming legal amendments to penalize possession of electronic cigarettes, commonly used to consume etomidate. Minister Without Portfolio Lin Ming-hsin noted that although electronic cigarettes are listed as contraband in Taiwan, enforcement is currently inadequate. The proposed amendments aim to close this loophole.
The MOJ recently reclassified etomidate as a Category 1 narcotic, imposing severe penalties, including the death penalty, for its manufacture, transport, and sale.