PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should consider adopting a tougher stance similar to Singapore to address the issue of vaping, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said he supported the call by Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and other bodies which advocate Malaysia to approach this issue similarly to how our neighboring country manages it.
"My main concern is this: if no action is taken to address vaping at this early stage, it will inevitably escalate into a larger problem with serious consequences for the country.
"If vaping contains addictive substances, as reported in neighboring countries, this is an issue that must be taken seriously," he said on Thursday (Aug 21).
Singapore authorities have been dealing with a growing problem of people using Kpods, or vapes laced with etomidate.
On Aug 17, Singapore said it will toughen its stance on vaping, treating it as a drug issue with harsher penalties including jail for sellers of vapes with harmful substances.
Vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, and under current laws, possession, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of SG$2,000 (RM6,590).
Etomidate, currently under Singapore's Poisons Act, will soon be listed as a Class C drug, subjecting vape users to rehabilitation programmes, similar to drug abusers.
Doctors typically inject etomidate to induce sedation, but misusing it can cause hallucinations and permanent organ failure.
Several health advocates and experts, including CAP, have urged Malaysia to look to Singapore’s model of treating vaping as a drug offence and consider imposing tougher penalties to curb its rising use, particularly among teenagers.
Lee said the the government must adopt a firm stance on vaping among students because if the substances they consume contain addictive and harmful ingredients, such as etomidate, could have severe long-term consequences.
"I believe it is time for our legislators to fully acknowledge the dangers and take decisive action. Authorities should strictly enforce existing laws related to smoking and vaping products, ensuring consistency is maintained. This is crucial in effectively tackling the problem.
"This issue is extremely serious given the addictive nature of some vaping substances. It is important that we take immediate steps to introduce tougher penalties to curb the growing use of addictive substances in vape products," added Lee.
