KUALA LUMPUR: More than RM300mil is estimated to be spent annually in treating illnesses related to e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury (Evali) by 2030, says Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
The Deputy Health Minister who shared the projection said RM244.8mil has already been spent on treating similar health cases to date.
“The figures are identified through a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) previously conducted by the Health Ministry.
"If this trend continues, we will need to spend between RM300mil and RM400mil by 2030. The ministry plans to submit a Cabinet memorandum proposing a complete ban on vaping. This aims to set policy directions and take action to prevent illnesses caused by vaping, thereby avoiding unnecessary resource expenditure,” he told Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 7).
He was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (IND–Tanjong Karang) regarding the delay by the Health Ministry in implementing a full ban on electronic cigarettes.
Evali is a lung injury associated with the use of electronic cigarettes or vaping products, with symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, fever and chest pain, which occur when chemicals in vaping liquids are heated and produce substances that damage the lung lining.
