KUALA LUMPUR: The lack of regulation and the appeal to youths were among the factors exacerbating public health concerns surrounding electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in the country, revealed the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).
The global standard survey, which included 4,269 Malaysians aged 15 and above, covering 289 areas nationwide, also revealed that the highest percentage of e-cigarette users among the younger age group was between 15 and 24 years old, at 8.6 per cent.
"The second highest are those aged 25 to 44 years, with 7.1 per cent, followed by 45 to 64 years (2.8 per cent), and 65 and above (0.7 per cent)."
GATS is a global standard survey designed to systematically monitor adult tobacco use and track key tobacco control indicators. The survey has been conducted twice, once in 2011 and again in 2023.
The survey is conducted by the Institute for Public Health under the Health Ministry in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States.
Meanwhile, the survey also found that most adults were aware of and had heard about e-cigarettes in the country.
This was demonstrated by an increase to 69 per cent last year, compared to 21 per cent in 2011.
The current number of e-cigarette users in the country also increased from 0.8 per cent in 2011 to 5.8 per cent last year.
"Meanwhile, the dual users of tobacco and e-cigarettes increased to 3.9 per cent last year from 0.8 per cent in 2011."
At the same time, the survey revealed that the top three reasons for the use of e-cigarettes were the availability of likeable flavours, the perception of e-cigarettes being less harmful than smoking, and the ease of use.
The findings of the survey showed that 19.5 per cent (4.8 million) of adults in Malaysia reported current tobacco use in any form (36.2 per cent of men and 1.8 per cent of women).
"In total, 19 per cent of adults currently smoked tobacco (35.7 per cent of men and 1.5 per cent of women).
"Simultaneously, 14.6 per cent (3.7 million) of adults currently smoked tobacco daily (27.2 per cent of men and 1.4 per cent of women).
"Overall, 16.8 per cent of adults (31.9 per cent of men and 0.9 per cent of women) currently smoke cigarettes."