Malaysian parents urged to educate children on vapes as government holds back on ban

Malaysia’s education ministry has put the onus on parents to educate their children about the dangers of vaping, as the government appears to edge back from banning a sector worth US$780 million a year, despite mounting evidence of damage to health.

Malaysia has witnessed a 600 per cent surge in the use of vapes and e-cigarettes over the past 12 years, according to the Malaysian Thoracic Society, with 6 per cent of the country’s adults using the products.

Health campaigners have warned that vape companies are targeting young people to reel in a new generation of users, while hospital admissions with vape-related lung damage are rising alarmingly.

On Tuesday, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh told parliament that it was up to families to keep their children away from vapes.

“I ask for everyone’s cooperation, including parents and the public, to help the health ministry in increasing awareness on the risk and dangers of vaping and electronic cigarettes on our children,” Wong told parliament.

According to the deputy minister, the education ministry has recorded an increase in the number of students caught vaping, saying the figure is five times higher than those found smoking cigarettes.