IPOH: Protect children and youth from vaping, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) urges the government.
CAP senior education officer NV Subbarow said the number of children addicted to vape and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has increased and that decisive action should be taken.
Subbarow cited a recent Health Ministry report stating that the number of adolescents aged 13 to 15 addicted to vaping rose from 211,084 in 2017 to 301,109 in 2022.
"If the Health Ministry or state governments continue giving unreasonable reasons and delay action to ban vape and e-cigarettes, the numbers of students and individuals addicted to nicotine-laced vape liquids will triple by 2030.
"The growing addiction among students and youths is worrisome because it's becoming a serious health and social problem in the country," he said in a statement to The Star.
Subbarow said the government needs to ban the sale and use of vape and e-cigarettes nationwide because the issue is already out of control.
"Many countries have already made a total ban for these products, including our neighbouring countries.
"Even the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah suggested in November 2024 that e-cigarettes and vapes be banned completely," he said.
He also said there was no need for any committees to be formed to study the issues of vaping in the country.
"CAP will write official letters to the rulers of each state to intervene and call for a ban on vape and e-cigarettes issues," he said.
