MOH, NGOs join forces to prevent youths from smoking, vaping

The first intervention program to target Malaysian B40 youth and their parents aims to educate them on the dangers of smoking and vaping.

The Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) in partnership with the Malaysian Quit Smoking Services (mQuit), established by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH/KKM) in a public-private partnership as well as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as IKRAM Health, Medical Mythbusters Malaysia (M3), and Parents Against Vape and Cigarettes (PAVAC), launched the program in October 2023.

The program focuses on the educational approach, which entails recruiting and inviting parents and their children aged 14 to 18 to briefings by PEMADAM where they are guided to wean their children of their smoking and vaping addiction. A key part of the educational program is a simple health check including exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) test to measure CO levels in their lungs and lung spirometry to test their lung capacity. Both tests will indicate if they are impacted by smoking and/or vaping. This program represents a significant step towards promoting healthier lifestyles among Malaysian youth.

“PEMADAM took this initiative as we understand that smoking and vaping are gateways to drug addiction, and we would like to nip this in the bud,” said Dato’ Haji Kaswuri Keman, chairman, mQuit-PEMADAM-KKM Program. PEMADAM partnered with mQuit in 2020 and since then have been conducting various no-smoking programs with other NGOs to provide support and tools for the public to quit smoking and vaping.

Dr Mohd Afiq Mohd Nor, president of IKRAM Health; Mohd Dziehan Mustapa, deputy chairman of M3; and Rashdan Rashid, chairman of PAVAC, were present at the launch to brief the youth on the dangers of smoking and vaping. These NGOs have been vocal in highlighting the dangers of smoking and vaping. They also support the need to have the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 to be passed in the Parliament. IKRAM Health is running an online petition to urge the Parliament to vote for the bill, which will regulate the use of e-cigarettes or vapes.

Currently, there are no regulations governing the manufacturing, packaging, storage, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes and vapes; this allows them to be sold even to minors. To make matters worse, the products in their colourful and enticing packaging resemble everyday items like pens or toys as well as a wide array of flavours are appealing to minors. This may lead to an increase in the uptake of vaping among teenagers. The intervention program aims to address this urgent issue and offer a lifeline to B40 youth who are at risk of vaping addiction.

“There is a possibility of adverse long-term effect impact of e-cigarettes and vapes on human health.  And even reports by tobacco sponsors, which have produced conflicting results, ultimately could not say vapes and e-cigarettes are safe.  I sincerely hope I can make as many people understand the danger,” said Afiq.

“The program is a testament to our commitment to protecting the health and future of our youth.  It is our responsibility to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to resist the allure of smoking and vaping,” said Mohd Dziehan.

The program is a public-private initiative and is also supported by Translab Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which conducted the CO and Lung Spirometry tests, and the Ministry of Education.