Malaysian Education Ministry shifts responsibility to parents for e-cigarette prevention

Feb.05.2025
Malaysian Education Ministry shifts responsibility to parents for e-cigarette prevention
Malaysia's Education Ministry shifts responsibility of keeping children away from e-cigarettes to parents amid growing health concerns.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the Malaysian Ministry of Education has shifted the responsibility of educating children about the dangers of e-cigarettes to parents. Despite mounting evidence of health risks, the government of the country appears to be reconsidering banning the industry worth $7.8 billion annually.

 

According to data from the Malaysian Respiratory Society, the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices in the country has surged by 600% over the past 12 years. Currently, approximately 6% of Malaysian adults are using these products.

 

Health advocates warn that e-cigarette companies are targeting young people to attract a new generation of users. Meanwhile, the number of people hospitalized for lung injuries caused by e-cigarettes is rapidly increasing.

 

On Tuesday, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh stated in Parliament that preventing children from being exposed to e-cigarettes is the responsibility of families. He urged everyone to collaborate, including parents and the public, to help the Ministry of Health raise awareness about the risks and harms of e-cigarettes on children.

 

According to the deputy minister, the number of students using e-cigarettes as recorded by the Ministry of Education has increased, with this number being five times the number of student smokers.

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