KUALA LUMPUR, February 10– The government needs to immediately ban the use of vaping, as it is considered a threat to public health.
According to the Malaysia Ikram Health Association (Ikram Health) president Dr Mohd Afiq Mohd Nor, it is not impossible for the government to make a decision to ban vaping.
In fact, it is clear that the challenges that exist need to be overcome and not be used as an excuse to continue to allow the industry to grow without a firm set of controls.
"Malaysia as the ASEAN chairman needs to bear witness to its neighboring countries such as Singapore and Thailand which have banned vaping.
"Recently, Vietnam has also followed the footsteps by banning vaping. Therefore, this is the right time for our country to be a good role model by banning vaping because this is not an impossible matter," he explained to RTM.
In addition, the enactment of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 shows that the government actually possess the power to effectively prohibit the promotion, sponsorship, online sales, and retail sales in the market.
"In fact, every smoking product sold must be registered including the content of the vape liquid," he added.
In the current situation, Dr. Mohd Afiq who is also an Emergency Medicine Specialist at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre said the vaping industry is not just a business that involves young people, but it has become increasingly worrisome and a threat to public health.
"Scientific evidence shows its adverse effects, including the increase in nicotine addiction among teenagers as well as the abuse of vape liquids mixed with illicit substances. Therefore, the government plays an important role by taking decisive measures to protect the people's health," he explained.
Dr. Mohd Hafyzuddin Md Yusuf who works in the Department of Emergency Medicine Department at the UM's Faculty of Medicine, echoed the same sentiment. He said allowing this industry to continue growing on the grounds of 'ecosystem' control is not an adequate measure and can pose high risks.
"Do we want to risk the majority of our future generation's physical and mental health, simply because of the lucrative income reaped by a small number of young people who have become vape industry players. When public health is at stake, the government needs to take more decisive and bold measures," he asked.
Therefore, Dr. Mohd Hafyzuddin wants urgent action to be taken through a more proactive approach to deal with the threat of vaping, followed by the consideration of a more comprehensive ban or stricter restrictions.
This will help to protect the young generation from the dangers of nicotine addiction and illegal substances. This step also aligns with the Fatwa of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs, which came to a decision that vaping is deemed 'haram' in 2015.