LETTERS: Electronic cigarettes or vapes, including their liquids, are easily accessible in Malaysia due to inadequate regulation.
These products contain nicotine, colouring and flavouring. Many studies have confirmed that these substances are harmful not just to the lungs but other organs, too. There is robust evidence of the appeal of fruit or dessert-flavoured e-liquids, especially among young users.
A study by researchers from Sunway University's School of Medical and Life Sciences found that many vape liquids do not disclose their use of colouring agents.
The researchers selected 28 vaping liquids on the market, from various manufacturers, price ranges and flavours, to ensure a comprehensive representation.
Out of these 28 liquids, 18 were sourced from an online platform, while 10 were purchased from physical stores.
All but one of the 28 products contained added colours but none of them disclosed this on their labels.
Colours used included green, brown and yellow, corresponding with the intended flavour (e.g., red for strawberry, yellow for mango).
Eighty-six per cent of the products declared on their labels the use of flavouring agents. All samples, however, were found to contain flavouring agents.
Our results mirror similar studies in the United States, where synthetic dye additives were found in e-cigarette liquids.
While these dyes are generally safe for ingestion, their safety upon inhalation has yet to be proven.
The levels of these colourants were as high as those in food items. Just imagine inhaling the same amount of colouring agent present in your regular red sirap bandung drink or yellow corn ice cream.
Despite these concerns, there is a lack of regulation in Malaysia concerning the use of dye additives in vape liquids.
This contrasts with regulations in the United Kingdom and European Union, where additives with colouring properties in vape liquids are prohibited. Moreover, these colourants are not designed for heating and inhalation.
They could degrade into harmful substances or accumulate in the lungs in patterns doctors don't fully understand yet.
Adding to the problem, previous research also showed that e-cigarettes flavoured like fruits or desserts are more appealing than flavourless ones.
Nicotine and flavourings interact in complex ways, and fruity flavours are used to mask nicotine's unpleasant throat irritation and bitter taste.
The use of synthetic dyes and flavourings in vape liquids, combined with non-transparent labelling, could increase health risks.
Hopefully, policymakers will take swift and appropriate action to ensure public safety and health.
LOOK KEYUN, DR SER HOOI LENG, DR AMAR DAUD ISKANDAR ABDULL , ; PROF ELIL RENGANATHAN and PROF LONG CHIAU MING
School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times