PETALING JAYA: The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which will take effect from Tuesday (Oct 1), is a crucial step to reducing the health risks associated with smoking and vaping in Malaysia, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
In a statement on Monday (Sept 30), MMA president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira commended Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad for his commitment to the Act's enforcement.
"Going forward, it is vital that enforcement is consistent and widespread. We are especially concerned about the sale of vaping products throughout the country, which have been allowed to go unchecked," he said.
Dr Kalwinder also noted that according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022, e-cigarette and vape use among Malaysian teens aged 13 to 17 years old rose from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022, while the teen vaping prevalence among males is at 23.3% and 6.2% among females.
"We also hope that the ministry will share how it plans to monitor and control the import and sale of vape products as certain vape liquids may contain other harmful ingredients.
"There must be clear guidelines on what is permissible for sale and consumption," he said, adding that public health education was also important, especially raising awareness of the dangers of smoking and vaping.
