Vaping in schools surges: Nearly 20,000 cases reported in 2024


KUALA LUMPUR: Close to 20,000 cases of students vaping in schools were reported last year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Citing figures from the Students Discipline System (SSDM), Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said 19,450 were caught last year.

This is almost seven times more than the number of students caught smoking (3,704).

“We do not deny that there is an increasing trend in the number of vaping cases at schools.

“For all these cases, the ministry has taken action against students in accordance with the set guidelines,” he said during question time in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 4).

Wong also stated that teachers, school staff, canteen operators, and other individuals are prohibited from bringing vapes into schools.

“Existing guidelines and notices are clear on this,” he said.

He was responding to Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu), who asked about the ministry’s plans to address vaping in schools.

Wong said the ministry also issued a notice on the ban on e-cigarettes or vapes in schools in 2015.

“Students that violate this will face disciplinary action, including a suspension of not more than 14 days.

“State and district education departments as well as schools, are reminded to abide by the notice and existing rules,” he said.

Advocacy programmes against vaping are also carried out to eradicate this, said Wong.

“Students are also educated on the harms of using e-cigarettes or vapes,” he said, adding that the ministry also works closely with other stakeholders on this.

He said cases of vaping outside school compounds are under the jurisdiction of local authorities and the Health Ministry.

“We can only take action inside schools.

“The Education Ministry will also furnish data on students smoking and vaping to the Health Ministry.

“The Health Ministry can then make a data-based decision based on whether or not to ban vapes outright,” Wong said.

This was in response to a question by Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who asked about cases of students vaping just outside schools.

Khoo also asked if the Education Ministry would propose that the Health Ministry ban vapes.

This comes after several calls by several groups to outright ban the product.

Recently, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also said the ministry is ready to revisit the possibility of banning vapes.

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