Use of ecigarettes among teenagers now ‘out of control’
PETALING JAYA: Vapes and ecigarettes have become so easily accessible online that even teenagers are able to buy them, which has led to growing concern among parents and teachers.
Based on checks online, The Star found that these items were being sold on popular ecommerce sites as well as individual vape sellers’ websites.
Transactions are below RM40 on average and there are no restrictions – purchasers are not even asked whether they are aged 18 or above.
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Stakeholders said this is why the proposed Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 should be quickly passed as there is a growing trend of smoking and vaping among schoolgoing teenagers.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) senior education officer and anti-smoking activist NV Subbarow said he had received complaints from teachers who had confiscated vaping devices from pupils.
“Things are now getting out of control. Students keep their vapes inside their bags. Many have admitted that they bought them online.
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“CAP urges the Health Ministry and Parliament to treat this Bill with urgency,” Subbarow said, adding that it is an “emergency Bill”.
National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said schools carry out regular inspections and take appropriate action according to existing regulations, including issuing warnings and conducting counselling.
He said what is important is the role of parents in ensuring that their children do not fall into these habits.
“All this is closely related to family education factors and how parents nurture and determine their children’s self-discipline,” he said.
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NUTP president Aminuddin Awang said the habit is becoming more serious among schoolgoers, as even primary school pupils have picked up vaping.
He said NUTP is disappointed by the delay in the tabling of the Bill, adding that there must be immediate stringent enforcement against the promotion and sale of vapes.
“This is to ensure that school students do not have access to smoking products, which contain nicotine that is addictive,” Aminuddin said.
“Exposure to nicotine at a young age will affect the mental and emotional development of children, which will also affect their studies.”
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National Parent-Teacher Associations Consultative Council president Datuk Dr Mohamad Ali Hasan called for more anti-smoking and vaping billboards and advertisements as well as campaigns by schools.
“There must be spot checks within school compounds, especially toilets or washrooms, and on school bags to ensure there is no smoking or vaping taking place in schools.
“Teachers must also set a good example. There must be systemic action taken against teachers caught smoking or vaping, including counselling.
“Members of the parent-teacher associations or school alumni must also help authorities ensure that shops near schools do not sell cigarettes to schoolchildren,” he said.
Mohamad Ali said penalties and fines should be imposed on those caught vaping.
The Bill, dubbed as the Generational End Game (GEG), was initially slated to be tabled for the second reading in Parliament on Oct 10 but was postponed at the eleventh hour to make way for Budget 2024 and other orders of business.
The Health Ministry now has three days from Nov 28-30 to table and get the Bill passed.
If this fails, the next window to table and pass the law will be when the Dewan Rakyat convenes in 2024.
