Key points:
·The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) supports the proposal by the Ministry of Health to nationwide ban the sale and use of e-cigarettes.
·The dangers of e-cigarettes are significant, with Malaysia already having 41 cases of lung injuries and estimated treatment costs reaching RM 369 million by the year 2030.
·There is a call to strengthen regulations through the Public Health (Control of Smoking Products) Act 2024, to crack down on illegal sales and enhance public awareness campaigns.
【2Firsts news flash】According to the Straits Times report on August 4, the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) fully supports the Health Ministry's proposal to ban the sale and use of e-cigarettes nationwide.
The senior vice president of the foundation, Datuk Seri Ayub Yaakob, stated that an increasing number of non-smokers, especially teenagers, are using e-cigarettes, putting them at risk of serious health issues such as persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, and lung damage (EVALI) - a potentially fatal disease.
“The United States has already seen cases of deaths due to lung injuries, while Malaysia has recorded 41 cases since 2019. The Ministry of Health has warned that by 2030, the annual treatment costs for diseases related to lung injuries could rise to RM 369 million (approximately $87.08 million), with the estimated cost for each patient hospitalized for more than 12 days currently being RM 150,892.11 (approximately $35,611).”
He said in a statement.
Ahmed pointed out that the claim that "e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes" is misleading because e-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals and high concentrations of nicotine, which can damage the lungs and brain, with particularly severe consequences for teenagers.
“In fact, the toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes can lead to nicotine addiction and harm the lungs and brain, especially in young people. If not controlled, e-cigarette addiction could spread like drug abuse and cause serious harm.”
He added.
The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation stated that the Ministry of Health must tighten regulations on tobacco products by implementing the Public Health (Control of Smoking Product) Act 2024 (Act 852) and regularly monitor to combat illegal online e-cigarette sales targeting youth.
The foundation also calls for strengthening public awareness campaigns on social media and mainstream platforms, encouraging influential individuals, youth leaders, and medical experts to participate and share relevant facts about the dangers of e-cigarettes.
“We also urge relevant authorities to cooperate in stopping the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes, as the presence of such products in the market can create a negative perception among the public towards the authorities and government's efforts in addressing this issue.”
Ahmed said.
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