KUALA LUMPUR: More than 12,000 students have been caught vaping in schools so far this year, says Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that 12,252 students, or 0.24% of the 5.1 million enrolment nationwide, were found involved in vaping activities as of Sept 30.
He added that 2,365 or 0.05% of students nationwide had been caught smoking, according to ministry statistics.
The numbers represent a slight decrease from the number of students found vaping or smoking last year, he said on Tuesday (Nov 5).
“Last year, 0.07% or 3,540 out of 5.06 million students were caught smoking while 0.26% or 13,427 students were found vaping.
“With the ministry doing as much as possible to deal with this issue, we ask the public and parents to do their part in the fight against vaping and smoking.
“We advise the public and parents to spread awareness on the dangers of these activities and for store owners to refrain from selling vapes or cigarettes to those underage,” he added.
Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Anak Begri (GPS-Betong) had asked for statistics on vaping and smoking among students, and to what extent schools were cracking down on the habit.
