KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has urged the Education Ministry to expedite the issuing of a circular to all schools and educational institutions which contains the guidelines to prohibit vaping.
Its vice-chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the use of vape in schools and educational institutions should be disallowed in view of the long-term disastrous effects on students’ health.
“I fully support the ministry’s decision to ban vaping among students and teachers in schools and other educational institutions.
“So far, there is no conclusive study that proves the use of vape is safe and does not adversely affect health,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lee added that based on survey findings by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international medical journals, vaping that was linked to nicotine addiction, abuse of vape kits for drug use and long-term effects of it could lead to cancer.
He said a research undertaken by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s National Poison Centre had also found that vape liquid containing uncontrolled nicotine level could negatively affect users especially students.
Thus, Lee suggested for the banning of vape to be extended to private schools and educational institutions, as well as, reminding teachers to set an example by not using vape in schools.
Meanwhile, in George Town, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the DAP-led state government had yet to decide whether to ban the use of vape in the state.
He said the state government was in talks with the various stakeholders on the matter including the Health Ministry and that a decision would be announced in about two weeks.
He was speaking to reporters after holding a a pubic dialogue on the matter here yesterday.
Penang Vape Traders Association chairman Muhammad Hafidz Adnan when met by reporters after the dialogue said its members hoped to be issued temporary licences to sell vape products pending the decision. — Bernama
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