JOHOR BARU: Schools should report cases of “energy stick” use among students to the Education Ministry, says Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh.
He said the ministry has not received any complaints about the new vape-like nasal inhalers so far but would continue monitoring the situation.
“Parents and schools should also look at this closely.
ALSO READ: Parents, schools need to combat 'energy stick' trend, says Fadhlina
“If energy stick use is found among students, it should be reported to the ministry and stern action will be taken,” he said after handing over Early Schooling Aid (BAP) mock cheques to district Education offices in Johor at the state Education Department here on Thursday (Feb 8).
He urged schools and parents to lodge complaints via the Public Complaints Management System (Sispaa) platform.
It was reported earlier this week that the Health Ministry was planning to take action against a new trend of products called "energy sticks" targeted at children and sold for as low as RM2.50.
ALSO READ: Health Ministry to curb sales of ‘energy sticks’
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the authorities had become aware of the potential sale of the device after receiving multiple complaints and alerts through social media.
His statements came after local health group Public Health Malaysia voiced concerns over the item being sold in Malaysia and its rising popularity among minors in particular, in a Facebook post on Saturday (Feb 3).
On the BAP programme, Wong said some RM78.5mil would be disbursed to 523,342 students in 1,192 Johor schools.
