KOTA KINABALU: The sale of ‘magic mushroom’ vape products should be banned to prevent more people from becoming addicted to these synthetic drugs, says Datuk Masiung Banah.
The Kuamut assemblyman said the growing addiction among electronic cigarette users, as reported lately, is becoming a serious health and social concern in the country.
He warned that the problem is particularly affecting youths, and the government must take decisive action before it becomes deeply entrenched in society.
“The Health Ministry must act decisively against these drug-laced vape flavours, including banning the sale of electronic cigarettes in the country,” said Masiung, who is also chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Authority.
"Many young people and teenagers today are unknowingly falling into a new form of addiction," he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 10).
He explained that synthetic drug-laced vape liquids, such as ‘Modius Liquid Vape Drug,’ are disguised with fruit flavours and sold through online suppliers.
"Among the most popular vape fluids among youths and teenagers today are ‘magic mushroom’ flavours, marketed under various brand names with attractive packaging," Masiung said.
He added that creamy and ‘freebase’ flavours also allegedly contain drug mixtures.
According to a National Poison Centre report, three of these fruit-flavoured vape liquids contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic drug that is diluted and used in electronic cigarette liquids.
Masiung expressed concern that vape addiction may have already spread to primary school children.
Citing a recent Health Ministry report, he highlighted that the number of adolescents aged 13 to 15 addicted to vaping increased from 211,084 in 2017 to 301,109 in 2022.
"If the ministry continues to delay action on this issue, the number of individuals addicted to nicotine-laced vape liquids will double by 2030," he warned.
Masiung urged Malaysia to follow the example of Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Taiwan, which have banned the use of electronic cigarettes.
Several Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, and Lebanon, have also announced vape bans, he noted.
