KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the government to act on the suggestion by Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for a total ban on e-cigarettes, including vape products, in the country
Its president, Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira, warned that vaping posed serious health risks, including respiratory issues, severe lung disease and potential addiction to drugs and other harmful substances.
"Vaping among the population is an issue that must be dealt with in an urgent manner before it causes irreversible damage to health.
"The increasing vape usage among youths in the country is also particularly troubling and needs to be nipped in the bud," said Dr Kalwinder in a statement today.
He added that reports indicated that up to 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States had documented 2,807 hospitalised cases of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), while Malaysia reported a total of 41 EVALI cases from 2019 until Sept 30 this year.
Furthermore, it was reported on Nov 14, that the Malaysian government had to spend more than RM150,000 to treat an individual suffering from EVALI.
"The health minister has also stated that treatment costs are projected to rise to RM369 million annually by 2030 if no control measures are taken against the use of electronic cigarettes or vapes," he added.
"We are of the view that the best control measure would be a total ban on all e-cigarette or vaping products," said Dr Kalwinder.
Al-Sultan Abdullah had recommended that the use of electronic cigarettes or vapes be fully banned.
His suggestion followed his concerns over the increasing problem of drug abuse in Pahang, particularly among the youth, based on statistics from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).
According to His Majesty, one of the main causes of young people becoming addicted to drugs, both directly and indirectly, begins with the use of vapes.