Five deaths linked to vape use

The Star

4 days ago

A TOTAL of five deaths linked to the use of e-cigarettes or vapes were reported between 2019 and June 2025, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said his ministry received a total of 83 reported cases of ­diseases linked to the use of smoking products, including e-cigarettes or vapes, as of June 2025.
'Of these, 44 cases involved serious complications affecting the lungs, while the remaining 39 cases involved other health complications not directly related to the lungs.
'Although there have been deaths involving individuals who used e-cigarettes or vape, a direct causal link between vape use and the cause of death is difficult to confirm, due to limited clinical evidence and other contributing factors,' he said in a written reply to Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan).
Wan Razali wanted the Health Ministry to reveal the number of deaths related to the use of ­e-cigarettes and vapes.
He also asked the ministry to explain its efforts to curb the use of e-cigarettes and vapes among children and teenagers.
Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry is currently strengthening surveillance to identify the causes of deaths associated with smoking products.
This effort, he added, is in line with the implementation of Section 21 of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which gives the minister the authority to ban or restrict the import, manufacturing, distribution, or sale of ­smoking products, based on the recommendations of a committee established under that section.
He also said that in 2024, a total of 230 primary school pupils were found to have smoking problems and 193 of them have undergone smoking cessation interventions.
For secondary school students, 44,211 were identified to have smoking problems and 36,870 have undergone interventions, he said.
To curb e-cigarette and vape use among children and teenagers, the ministry has taken several measures, including enforcing regulations under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 to protect them from being exposed to and influenced by smoking habits, said Dr Dzulkefly.
'The ministry is also implementing a strict prohibition on the sale and purchase of all smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and vapes, especially to those who are underaged,' he added.
In addition, the ministry also implemented prevention and smoking cessation intervention programmes for school students through the Oral Health Without Smoking Practice Program.
He said smoking cessation services are also provided through 857 Quit Smoking Clinics and 111 One Stop Centres for Addiction across the country.
'Parents or guardians can bring children who are involved in smoking or using electronic cigarettes or vapes to these clinics to get professional treatment and cessation support,' he said.