KEPALA BATAS: With vapes and ecigarettes becoming easily available online, some teenagers find vaping a “trend”, thinking that it is “better” than smoking cigarettes.
According to a Form Three student, who only wanted to be known as Rizal, vaping is viewed as trendier among students due to the variety of flavours it offers.
The 15-year-old said vaping was also getting popular among female students.
Rizal said he first started with smoking before transitioning to vaping.
“I had my first taste of cigarettes when I was 11 years old. I took my father’s cigarettes, and from there, it became a habit,” he said.
Upon entering secondary school, Rizal said he got curious after seeing his friends vaping.
“My friends said vaping is better than smoking cigarettes. After giving it a try, I stopped smoking and started vaping until now,” he said.
Rizal said he bought his vape online, adding that several grocery shops also sold cheap vaping devices, some lower than RM50.
Another teenager, who wanted to be known as Mamat, said he started vaping to release stress while studying.
The 16-year-old ended up addicted to vaping.
“My first experience with vaping was when my cousin bought me a new vaping set on my 12th birthday,” he said.
Mamat said he would only vape after school or at night when out with friends.
“I never brought it to school, unlike some of my seniors, including girls.
“Vaping now is a trend among secondary school students,” he added.
Vape shop operator Mohamad Nor Hakim Azizan, 23, said he practised the no-sale policy to those aged 18 and below.
“There are times when students would come to my shop.
“As a responsible trader, I always ensure they are not underage. I will ask them for their MyKad,” he said.
The Star reported that 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.
Stakeholders said this was why the proposed Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 should be quickly passed as there was a growing trend of smoking and vaping among schoolgoing teenagers.
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.
