111 cases of exposure to questionable vape liquid since 2015, says Health Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 111 cases of exposure to questionable vape liquid were reported to the National Poison Centre from 2015, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Health Minister said that the cases were reported between 2015 and last year and were apart from cases of associated lung injury due to e-cigarettes or vaping products (Evali).

"Of these cases, 83 (74.7%) were those involving young children and youths," he said in a written reply to a question raised by V. Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (June 26).

Ganabatirau wanted to know the number of youths who had been diagnosed with illnesses due to vape and tobacco products between 2021 and 2023.

Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly said that from 2019, a total of 39 lung related injuries due to e-cigarettes and vaping were reported.

"Of these cases, eight were Evali cases involving youths between 14 and 19 years old," he added.

Evali is a serious illness that results in damage to the respiratory tract and walls of the lungs.

Dr Dzulkefly said that the ministry will continue efforts to reduce the dependence on smoking products, including vape to prevent Evali, particularly among youths.

Among them, he said, was the prohibition of sale of smoking products to minors under Section 13 of the Control of Smoking Products For Public Health 2024 which came into force on Feb 2 this year.

Under the section, those guily of selling smoking products to minor could face a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or one year imprisonment or both.

Minors caught purchasing smoking or tobacco products could face a maximum fine of RM500 or ordered to do community service.

He added that this also included strengthening laws against the advertisement and sale of smoking and fake smoking products resembling toys.

Dr Dzulkefly said it was the aim of the ministry to achieve the goal of seeing Malaysia free from the habit of smoking by 2040.