Malaysian Medical Association Urges Nationwide E-Cigarette Ban Amid Rising Student Usage

Key points:

1.The president of the Malaysian Medical Association has warned about the health risks of e-cigarettes. In the past five years, Malaysia has seen 41 cases of lung injuries, with treatment costs for each individual reaching up to RM150,000.

2.Teenage e-cigarette use is on the rise, with nearly 20,000 students nationwide using e-cigarettes on school grounds. The effectiveness of age restrictions and oversight is being called into question.

3.According to data from 2023, the usage rate of e-cigarettes among individuals aged 15 to 25 has increased to 8.6%, a growth of 600%.

4.Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, and Pahang have successively implemented bans on the sale, the MMA expressed its support for this and called on the entire country to follow suit.

According to a report by FMT media on May 17, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the government to ban the sale of e-cigarettes nationwide.

Dr. Kalwinder Singh Khaira, the president of the MMA, highlighted the documented health risks and high medical costs associated with e-cigarettes. The Ministry of Health reported 41 cases of e-cigarette-related lung injuries (Evali) between 2019 and 2024, with each patient's treatment costing up to 150,000 ringgit.

According to the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey, e-cigarette users have increased by 600% in the past 12 years, with usage rates among the 15 to 25 age group rising from 1.1% to 8.6%. Dr. Karl Wind also mentioned data from 2024, showing nearly 20,000 cases of students using e-cigarettes on school grounds nationwide, indicating that age restrictions are not effectively stopping this trend.

The association applauds the four states that have independently implemented bans. Previously, the state of Kelantan announced that it would prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes starting from August 1st, joining Johor, Terengganu, and Pahang in the ban. Pahang's ban will also take effect on August 1st, while Johor and Terengganu had already implemented this ban in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

According to its official website, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is the largest association of doctors in Malaysia, established in 1959, with over 17,000 members. Self-proclaimed as the "voice of Malaysian doctors," the organization is also the main representative body for all registered practicing physicians in Malaysia.