Preventing youth smoking and vaping in Malaysia

October 7, 2024

Healthcaretoday, Malaysian Drug Prevention Association, Malaysian Quit Smoking Services, Parents Against Vape and Cigarettes, PEMADAM, no-smoking programmes, vaping liquid, smoking addiction, vaping addiction, e-cigarettes, teenagers,

A youth blowing into the device for carbon monoxide exhalation and lung spirometry tests to measure his lung capacity and function.

The Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia or PEMADAM), in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) - Persatuan Kesihatan IKRAM Malaysia and Medical Mythbusters Malaysia (M3) - organized an intervention program for B40 youth to combat smoking and vaping. The program is part of the Malaysian Quit Smoking Services (mQuit), an initiative launched by the Ministry of Health in 2015.

Youth aged 14 to 18, led by Parents Against Vape and Cigarettes (PAVAC), were recruited to join the program. PEMADAM partnered with mQuit in 2020 and has conducted various no-smoking programs with other NGOs that provide support and tools for the public to quit smoking and vaping.

Smoking and vaping: Gateways to drug addiction
“Today’s intervention program is the first to target B40 youth. Parents and youth were invited to a briefing that will guide them through the processes they will undertake to quit smoking. They were given carbon monoxide exhalation and lung spirometry tests to measure their lung capacity and ability, which are impacted by smoking and vaping. PEMADAM took this initiative because we understand that smoking and vaping are gateways to drug addiction, and we would like to nip this in the bud,” said Dato’ Haji Kaswuri Keman, Chairman of the mQuit-PEMADAM-KKM Program.

There have been reports that drugs are infused in vape liquid. NGOs have been very vocal in highlighting the dangers of smoking, especially vaping, and support the need to pass the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 in parliament. Parents of youth are invited to many public briefings conducted by PEMADAM to understand why their children smoke and to be guided in weaning their children off their smoking and vaping addiction. The objective of the program is to take an educational approach as opposed to capital punishment in managing young smokers.

Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023
There is a possibility of adverse long-term effects of e-cigarettes and vaping on human health. Even reports by tobacco sponsors, which have produced conflicting results, ultimately could not claim that vaping and e-cigarettes are safe.

In support of creating healthier youth, IKRAM is running a petition to urge parliament to vote for the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, which will regulate the use of e-cigarettes or vapes, which have thus far operated without regulatory oversight.

It is worth noting that currently, there are no regulations governing the manufacturing, packaging, storage, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes and vapes, allowing them to be sold even to minors. The appeal of these products, with their colorful and enticing packaging and a wide array of flavors, has led to a concerning increase in vaping among teenagers. Some may be drawn to them due to their packaging resembling everyday items like pens or toys. This has contributed to the prevalence of vaping and e-cigarette use among teenagers. The intervention program aims to address this urgent issue and offer a lifeline to B40 youth who are at risk of smoking addiction.

“The program is a testament to our commitment to protecting the health and future of our youth. It is our responsibility to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to resist the allure of smoking and vaping," said M3 Chairman Mohd Dziehan.

This program is designed with the primary objective of preventing teenagers from falling into the dangerous trap of vaping and e-cigarette usage while simultaneously assisting those who have been smoking to quit their smoking habit. This program represents a significant step toward promoting healthier lifestyles among our nation's youth.

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