Spike in vape poisoning cases in Malaysia sparks concern over illicit substances

New Straits Times

3 days ago

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is facing a new public health threat as a sharp rise in vape-related poisoning cases, believed to be linked to illicit substances, has been reported by the National Poison Centre (NPC) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here.
According to NPC, there has been a surge in poisoning cases linked to vape products suspected of containing dangerous synthetic drugs, particularly since 2022.
USM NPC pharmacy officer (drug and poison information service) Mohd Fadhli Razali said it recorded 76 such cases between 2020 and 2024, with a significant increase in the past three years.
"In 2022 alone, 17 cases were reported — a 65 per cent jump from the previous year.
"The numbers rose to 27 cases (a 79 per cent increase) in 2023 and 26 cases (68 per cent) so far in 2024.
"Disturbingly, 81 per cent of these cases involved products marketed as 'Magic Mushroom Vape', with teenagers aged 15 to 19 accounting for 41 per cent of the cases and young adults around 20 years old making up 53 per cent," he said today.
Fadhli said patients exposed to these vape products often experienced severe symptoms such as seizures, fainting, vomiting, hallucinations, delusions, and even aggressive behaviour, sometimes after only one or two puffs.
He said the severity of these reactions had raised concerns about the presence of synthetic cannabinoids and other toxic substances.
"Subsequent testing by NPC confirmed that some vape liquids labelled as containing 'magic mushrooms' were actually laced with powerful synthetic drugs capable of causing life-threatening reactions.
"These findings underscore the ease with which vape products can be tampered with and misused, especially through unregulated online sales targeting youth," he said.
Fadhli called for stronger enforcement of the Poisons Act 1952 and voiced support for state-level bans on vape sales and use.
He said several states had either enacted or were planning such bans, a move NPC believes is essential to protect young Malaysians from the growing threat of drug abuse disguised in vaping products.
"This is no longer an isolated issue.
"It has become a public health crisis.
"We urge all state governments to unite in implementing a comprehensive ban on vape sales to stop the spread of these dangerous substances," he said.
Fadhli said that immediate, coordinated action was needed to address the alarming trend and safeguard the future of Malaysia's youth.
It was recently reported that illicit vape liquids containing synthetic drugs, including a psychoactive substance known as 'Magic Mushroom', were being sold for as little as RM1 per drop and are fast gaining popularity among school students, TV3's Buletin Utama reported.
A 17-year-old teenager, who identified himself only as Zul, revealed that he became addicted to the substance at age 14, a year after he began vaping at 13.
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan had also warned that vape liquids were easily manipulated with illicit substances and pose serious health risks.
He said there were 24 cases of vape-related drug incidents recorded in Selangor last year, while 17 cases had been reported this year up to last month.