Ban sale of vapes nationwide, doctors urge govt
PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Medical Association has urged the government to impose a nationwide ban on the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes, commending four states for implementing prohibitions on their own.
MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said the harmful effects and high healthcare costs associated with treating conditions like e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (Evali) were well documented.
He said the health ministry had reported 41 Evali cases from 2019 to 2024 and that it had cost the government RM150,000 to treat each patient.
'MMA strongly believes that a comprehensive national ban is the only viable course of action to safeguard public health.
'Public health must take precedence over profit, and we cannot allow these harmful products to jeopardise the wellbeing of future generations.
'While a federal ban on vape products may require legislative amendments, this should not delay urgent action,' he said in a statement.
Kalwinder also cited the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2023, which found that e-cigarette users had increased exponentially by 600% over the past 12 years, with the prevalence among those aged 15 to 25 also rising from 1.1% to 8.6% in that period.
Expressing concern over the use of vapes among the youth, he said it was unsurprising for children to get hooked on the products given their attractive flavours and packaging.
'Close to 20,000 cases of students vaping in schools were reported in the country last year. This is despite the age restriction on the sale of vaping and e-cigarette products.
'We are also deeply concerned over reports of students as young as 13 caught using vapes containing substances mixed with drugs.'
The Perlis government announced on Wednesday that it would ban the sale of vapes from Aug 1, joining Johor, Kelantan and Terengganu in imposing a full ban on vape sales.
Terengganu's ban will be enforced from Aug 1, while Johor and Kelantan have banned the sale of these products since 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Kedah has decided not to impose an outright ban but to stop allowing the renewal of business permits for vape traders once their licences expire.
Kalwinder lauded the state governments of Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Perlis for taking 'decisive action' for the sake of public health.
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