PEMADAM Urges Nationwide Ban On Vape And E-cigarettes

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 13 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) is urging the government to impose a nationwide ban on the import, manufacture, production, distribution, sale, advertising and use of vape and e-cigarettes. 

PEMADAM also calls for specific legislation to be drafted and enacted to prohibit all forms of vaping devices, with or without nicotine, including bans on their sale, distribution, advertising, promotion, and use.

This proposal was among seven motions presented by PEMADAM National Women's Wing chairman Datuk Jamelah A. Bakar and unanimously approved at the 46th PEMADAM national biennial general assembly on Aug 11.

Jamelah also proposed that all ministries, as well as federal and state agencies,  including the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Ministry of Education, Royal Malaysia Police, Royal Malaysian Customs Department and local authorities, cooperate with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to implement the ban.

Other motions include raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21, tightening enforcement with harsher penalties for sales to minors, and intensifying public education campaigns in schools and communities on the dangers of vaping.

On July 28, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that MOH is thoroughly reviewing measures to impose a total ban on the use and sale of e-cigarettes or vape in Malaysia.

He explained that any such proposal would consider numerous factors, including scientific evidence, cases of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), legal aspects, industry and economic implications, as well as enforcement effectiveness.

Currently, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, and Pahang have suspended the issuance and renewal of licences for the sale of e-cigarettes.

Meanwhile, PEMADAM highlighted that the prevalence of vaping in Malaysia is increasingly alarming, especially among teenagers, women and youth, as the product is marketed as a modern lifestyle choice that is supposedly safer than conventional cigarettes.

“With sweet flavours like candy and fruit, aggressive promotion on social media and unethical marketing strategies, vaping has successfully influenced young people,” PEMADAM said.

“The nicotine content in vape products causes severe addiction, impairs brain function, increases the risk of mental and physical health problems, and serves as a ‘gateway’ to drug abuse,” it added.

PEMADAM has therefore proposed that enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) be strengthened in tandem with education efforts, public awareness campaigns and measures to curb the sale of drug-laced vape.

It also called for the establishment of a special enforcement task force, coordinated by MOH and the police, to monitor, regulate and take swift action against violations under Act 852, including joint operations to combat the smuggling and distribution of such products. 

— BERNAMA