WHO Urges Malaysia to Regulate E-Cigarettes Amidst Vaping Epidemic.

On June 3, according to CodeBlue, a Malaysian health website, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged the Malaysian government to regulate electronic cigarettes. Previously, the Malaysian government had lifted restrictions on these nicotine products without any limitations in place.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus responded during a World Health Organization press conference.

When the tobacco industry introduced e-cigarettes, they tried to instill the belief that it was a part of harm reduction. However, this is not the case.

According to Tedros Adhanom, electronic cigarettes are actually a trap. Children as young as 10, 11, and 12 years old start using electronic cigarettes because they think they are cool due to their various colors and flavors, among other things. As a result, they become addicted for life.

Furthermore, most people will eventually switch back to regular cigarettes.

Dr. Tedros noted that recent studies have indicated that many minors have started using e-cigarettes, and that there has been an increase in advertising for these products both in and around schools.

So, it is necessary to carry out supervision and must be taken seriously.

According to a nationwide study on the health of Malaysian adolescents conducted in 2022 by the Public Health Research Institute of the Malaysian Ministry of Health, the proportion of secondary school students between the ages of 13 and 17 who currently use electronic cigarettes has increased from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022.

Previously reported by 2FIRSTS, the Malaysian government has decided to approve an amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, allowing for the legalization of nicotine-containing products. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised that the Tobacco Product and Smoking Control Bill (GEG Bill) will be submitted to the lower house of parliament in May to ensure comprehensive regulation of products containing nicotine.

However, the implementation of the bill has been repeatedly delayed. According to the latest parliamentary schedule in Malaysia, the Public Health (Control of Smoking Products) Bill 2023 will undergo its first reading in Parliament. This marks the second edition of the bill, as it failed to pass in the 14th parliamentary session.

Reference: [1] The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged Malaysia to protect its citizens from being trapped in vaping, according to an article published by CodeBlue on June 3, 2023. [Link]