KUALA LUMPUR: The Advanced Centre for Addiction Treatment Advocacy (ACATA) has expressed its disappointment with the comments made by caretaker health minister Khairy Jamaluddin who dismissed tobacco harm reduction as a means to reduce smoking incidences in the country.
ACATA president Dr Arifin Fii said any elected leader must have an open mind and should not dismiss and discard scientific-based evidence.
He said the potential of vaping in reducing smoking incidences has been scientifically proven and well-documented internationally.
"It should not be dismissed and instead be embedded into Malaysia's policy of reducing smoking prevalence.
"His statement shows a nonchalant attitude about harm reduction, which has been proven to work in managing addiction," Dr Arifin said in a statement today.
He said that in Malaysia, harm reduction has also been deployed, and a case in point is using methadone to manage opioid addiction.
"Such negative comments are not only offensive but also invalidate the work done by thousands of harm reduction experts in Malaysia and worldwide."
Dr Arifin pointed out that the use of nicotine patches or gum, which Khairy has publicly supported, is also a form of harm reduction which is now in danger of being treated with the same stance.
"The fact that the caretaker health minister has rubbished suggestions to exclude vape, a harm-reduced product, from the proposed Generation Endgame (GEG) means it will set a dangerous precedence for other forms of harm-reduced products.
"Going by the same logic, there is the danger that nicotine patches and gum can also be included under GEG," Dr Arifin said.
He also said another worrying point is the inaccurate information shared on e-cigarette use-associated lung injury (EVALI).
"It is not caused by the regular use of vape as claimed by the caretaker health ministry but instead the misuse and abuse of prohibited substance with vape," Dr Arifin said.
In the United States (US), where EVALI cases were reported back in 2019, the US health authorities have stated that the cause of EVALI is linked to vitamin E acetate and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that are added to vape liquid.
Dr Arifin said the fear-mongering tactics which the ministry of health has employed are disappointing and need to stop.
He said the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on the management of EVALI should also be corrected as it is an embarrassment to see Malaysia be the only one in the world linking wrong facts on EVALI.
"The world is changing rapidly, and health leaders must not shy away from scientific evidence and be selective with science and facts.
"The mission of modern science is not only to create new knowledge but also to use knowledge to address social issues.
"An inclusive approach is required if the country wishes to address smoking prevalence in this country," Dr Arifin said.