Vapers end up becoming ‘dual users’, says Dr Subra

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no concrete scientific evidence that e-cigarettes and vaping will help smokers kick their nicotine addiction, the Health Ministry told Parliament.

As a matter of fact, most users end up becoming "dual users" of both electronic cigarettes and tobacco smoking, bringing on a double whammy of health risks upon themselves, said Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the Ministry had made a clear stance against e-cigs and vapes to the Cabinet in January 2016, and had worked out regulations on the product with the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.

He added that the Ministry had formed a taskforce to study the health effects of e-cigs and shisha in 2013, and had concluded that its usage was linked to hazardous health effects and could also cause other long-term negative effects that have yet to be discovered.

"Until now, there is no concrete scientific proof that shows the usage of e-cigarettes can help smokers quit smoking. Most users become dual users and are exposed to both risks of smoking and also vaping," Dr Subramaniam said in a written reply Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (PRS - Kanowit).

He added that studies from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUTLD) showed that using e-cigs could increase the risk of nicotine addiction, especially among teenagers and women.

He also told the House that vapers were prone to drug abuse, with some users using them to smoke ganja and ecstasy.