New Anti-Drug Campaign Launched to Combat Etomidate Abuse at Yau Tong Event

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign

The publicity event "Anti-Drug, New Era" organised by the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau was held at the Domain shopping mall in Yau Tong this afternoon (August 3). The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, introduced the concept of a new anti-drug publicity campaign to members of the public at the event, and talked about tearing down the facade of "space oil drug" and renaming it as etomidate.

Mr Tang said that many people have mistakenly believed that vaping etomidate is "cool". He wanted to tell members of the public that drug abuse is definitely not "cool". Knowing how to say no to drugs is "cool"!

He said that drug traffickers had deliberately glorified etomidate-filled drugs, in order to lure youngsters into taking them and ignoring the serious harmful effects this type of emerging drugs posed to their physical and mental health. The Government has therefore renamed the drugs as "etomidate" to state clearly their nature as dangerous drugs.

MrTang, together with the Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), Dr Donald Li; the Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; the Acting Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Jenny Chan; and the Chairman of the ACAN Sub‑committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ng, officiated at the event to launch the new anti-drug publicity campaign.

MrTang first led the Acting Commissioner for Narcotics to tear off a sticker printed with "space oil drug" on a prop, symbolising the tearing down of its facade. Together with other officiating guests, Mr Tang then placed the prop printed with "etomidate" into a device with simulated flames, symbolising disposing of this harmful emerging drug, etomidate.

To further raise awareness about the harmful effects caused by drugs, the ND has especially invited renowned artiste Aaron Kwok to take on the role of "Honorary Commissioner for Narcotics", and Aaron Kwok was presented with an appointment certificate. Aaron Kwok has designed a special edition of anti-drug slogan with his personal style: "Hear me out: Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!" as well as new anti-drug dance moves. At the event, he led the audience to chant this special edition of anti-drug slogan and demonstrated the new anti-drug dance moves, showcasing the strength and determination to "Say No To Drugs".

Aaron Kwok also taught about 50 youngsters, who were appointed as "School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors", his new anti-drug dance moves on the spot today. The "School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors" will undertake the mission to spread anti-drug messages in schools across Hong Kong, bringing an anti-drug spirit to campuses.

The new publicity campaign aims to give members of the public a clear understanding of the harmful effects caused by etomidate, which include "zombie-like" symptoms such as seizures, mental confusion, skin ulcers and loss of body control. Being in this terrible state in public strips abusers of all dignity, and their lives could be tainted. The new publicity campaign is on the theme "Etomidate - Don't vape it or you'll die like a zombie!", its relevant Government's TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) have been launched on various television and radio channels. In addition, the relevant advertisements and publicity materials will also be displayed on public transport networks, large outdoor advertising spaces, cinemas, public housing estates, private housing estates, Community Living Rooms and villages in the New Territories, etc. The advertisements will also be pushed to mobile phone users on popular mobile application websites. Information about etomidate has been uploaded onto the dedicated webpage of the ND of the SB (www.nd.gov.hk/en/etomidate.html) for reference by the public.

To combat etomidate-related crimes with members of the public together, the Police have set up a 24-hour etomidate reporting hotline (number: 6629 2966), which is now in operation. Members of the public can also file reports via the instant messaging applications WhatsApp (number: 6629 2966) and WeChat (account: eto-report).

The publicity event today also featured a sharing session, in which the Consultant of the Hong Kong Poison Control Centre of the Hospital Authority, Dr Chong Yeow Kuan, explained to the audience the harmful effects caused by etomidate. Professional theatre actors also performed an interactive anti-drug drama to promote the message of staying away from etomidate in a lively and engaging way.

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Anti-Drug, New Era" showcased in new anti-drug publicity campaign Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 18), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images