Malaysian Ministry of Health Forms Special Committee to Tackle Student Vaping Abuse

May.14

The Malaysian Ministry of Health has established a special committee to investigate the misuse of e-cigarettes among students and to evaluate the implementation of the Public Health (Control of Smoking Products) Act 2024. The minister emphasized that regulations will be driven by evidence.

Key points:

1.The Malaysian Ministry of Health has established a special committee to investigate the widespread use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among student groups.

2.This initiative was established following the implementation of Act 852, the Public Health Smoking Control Act of 2024, on October 1, 2024, under the instruction of the Minister of Health.

3.The formation of the committee was prompted by widespread incidents of students using e-cigarettes on social media, as well as a suspected death related to e-cigarette use.

4.The Ministry of Health has pledged to comprehensively address the issue of e-cigarettes to ensure public health and safety.

According to a report by NST on May 13, the Malaysian Ministry of Health has formed a special committee to investigate the issue of e-cigarette and cigarette abuse among students.

The committee, led by Ismuni Bohari, Deputy Director General of Health (Public Health), aims to assess the enforcement of the "Public Health (Control of Smoking Products) Act 2024" (Act 852) and monitor relevant personnel to support evidence-based decision-making.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad stated in an interview with reporters that the establishment of the committee is in response to the widespread circulation of cases involving students using e-cigarettes on social media, as well as a suspected death incident related to e-cigarettes.

He pointed out that although preliminary investigations into the death case found other comorbid factors, further clarification is still necessary to support evidence-based decision-making. The Health Department has committed to addressing the e-cigarette issue comprehensively to ensure public health safety.

References:

[1] Special committee to examine vape misuse

Also Read:

[1] Malaysia's E-Cigarette Regulatory Vacuum Raises Concerns; Industry Advocates for Regulation Over Ban

[2] 60 NGOs in Malaysia Jointly Support Kelantan's E-cigarette Regulation

[3] Malaysia Tightens E-Cigarette Regulations, Expands Enforcement to Ads, Packaging, and Sales

[4] Malaysia Health Ministry Warns Shops Violating Tobacco Display Ban

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