Ecigarettes, vaping associated with lung injury, says Health Ministry

PETALING JAYA: The National Health and Morbidity (NHMS) Survey 2022 has found that the high usage of electronic cigarettes or vape products by teenagers aged between 13 and 17 has increased from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022, says the Health Ministry.

It said this acute increase also occurred among teenage girls, as there was a rise from 2.8% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2022.

"Until today, the use of electronic cigarettes has shown to bring negative effects to users; e-cigarette or vaping product use is associated with lung disease," said Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan in a statement on Tuesday (June 13).

He said the Health Ministry is monitoring diseases associated with electronic cigarettes, starting with a circular in June 2022 and added that this includes ecigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (Evali).

"The ministry created the Clinical Practice Guidelines Management of Evali in 2021 to assist medical practitioners to detect and treat Evali cases.

Dr Muhammad Radzi said that until June 2023, the ministry had received 17 suspected Evali cases.

"As such, the Health Ministry wishes to remind users that electronic cigarettes or vape products are not safe as it has adverse effects to health and is not an alternative to smoking.

"Smokers are advised to seek the services of the Stop Smoking Clinics which are available at the nearest health clinics or go to the webpage at www.jomquit.com," he added.