3 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Follow UK in banning disposable vapes, say consumer group, health expert
Experts say disposable vapes are designed to appeal to young people but pose hidden health and environmental dangers. (Bernama pic)
GEORGE TOWN : A consumer advocacy group and a public health expert have urged the government to emulate the UK's total ban on disposable vapes, citing escalating health risks and environmental threats.
Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) education officer NV Subbarow said these vape devices pose dual dangers: serious health impacts and environmental pollution worse than single-use plastics.
He said the products are especially popular among children due to their small size, colourful packaging, and flavoured options.
'They're easy to hide, cheap, and when thrown away, leak toxic substances like cobalt and copper into the environment. They've even caused fires in bin lorries,' he told FMT.
Subbarow also called for stricter enforcement to block online sales via platforms like Shopee and TikTok, which he said were fuelling access among minors.
Universiti Malaya family health expert Dr Siti Idayu Hasan also proposed a ban, warning that the risks of disposable vapes are being dangerously underestimated, especially by the young.
She said these devices emit fine and ultrafine particles laced with nicotine and heavy metals, polluting indoor air and increasing the risk of respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease and addiction.
'People often assume vaping is safer, but emerging evidence shows that even short-term exposure to e-cigarette aerosols can damage blood vessels and impair lung function,' she said.
Siti, who has worked on tobacco control policies aligned with the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), said a total ban would send a strong public health message and help stem the surge in youth vaping.
The National Poison Centre reported a spike in vape-related poisoning cases, revealing that 81% of incidents since 2022 involved so-called 'magic mushroom' vapes. Most victims were teenagers and young adults, with 41% aged 15 to 19 and 53% in their early 20s.
The centre said these vapes often did not contain actual psilocybin but were laced with synthetic cannabinoids capable of inducing hallucinations, seizures, vomiting, and erratic behaviour, even after just one or two puffs.
It described the trend as a 'hidden but dangerous drug epidemic' and also called for a blanket ban on vape sales.
The UK, in a move welcomed by public health advocates, began enforcing a nationwide ban on disposable vapes on June 1 under its 'Plan for Change' strategy.
Under the new law, all shops, including corner stores and supermarkets, are barred from selling single-use vapes.
Offenders face an immediate £200 (RM1,150) fine, with repeated breaches risking unlimited fines or jail time.
