GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has revealed that vape and e-cigarette gadgets are being sold in interesting shapes to attract the young and first-timers to pick up the habit.
CAP education officer N.V. Subbarow said some vape gadgets were sold in the shape of pens, glue tubes, handphones, watches and bottles to attract schoolchildren.
He said some vape gadgets also came in the shape of a woman's body and were pink in colour to attract women buyers.
"The vape industry is making different kinds of vape and e-cigarettes gadgets to attract the younger generation to get addicted to vaping.
"Many vapers, as young as 8 to 20 years, admitted that they are addicted to this vape culture because of its shape and the fruit flavour of vape juice.
"The authorities must do something quick to address this confusion. Otherwise, more people will fall into the trap of vaping," he told the New Straits Times.
Subbarow said many vapers were changing their gadgets to look more advanced although they had to pay more.
"There are gadgets that produce more smoke. This is what new vapers like. With more vape smoke, they can blow shapes with the smoke.
"More smoke means more nicotine because you have to inhale more of the vape fluids.
"There must be a restriction. Authorities must not allow the printing of fruit pictures on the label of vaping juices that contain nicotine," he added.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were 17,000 types of nicotine-added flavours in the market.
Subbarow also said it was shocking to hear of children, students and youths spending RM80 to RM100 a month to buy new gadgets or nicotine fruit juices for their vapes.
He said many were willing to skip breakfast to save money to buy these chemicals.
"The worst part is even children below 12 are enjoying this nicotine-based flavours," he said.