Latest news with #N.V.Subbarow
Barnama
4 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
CAP's Subbarow Honoured With Tobacco Control Icon Award For Three Decades Of Advocacy
GEORGE TOWN, May 31 (Bernama) -- Veteran anti-smoking advocate and education officer of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) N. V. Subbarow, was today honoured with the Tobacco Control Icon Award for nearly three decades of public education on the dangers of smoking and substance abuse. The award was presented by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during the 2025 National Tobacco Control Conference (NTCC) and the national-level World No Tobacco Day celebration in Cyberjaya. Speaking to Bernama, Subbarow described the recognition as both an honour and renewed motivation to continue raising awareness, especially among youth, on the harms of tobacco, vaping, shisha and drugs such as cannabis. 'I've championed this cause for almost 30 years, reaching over 25,000 primary and secondary students across the country,' he said. His outreach efforts have included lectures, interactive sessions and direct discussions with students on the harmful substances in tobacco products and their impact on health. Subbarow said one of the most meaningful outcomes of his work has been seeing young people choose to quit. 'Some students have come back to tell me they stopped smoking after attending my sessions and that, to me, is a proud achievement,' he said. He said he was deeply grateful for the recognition, which further strengthens his commitment to serving the community and promoting a healthy, tobacco-free lifestyle among young Malaysians. Meanwhile, CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader in a statement marking World No Tobacco Day, urged the government to impose a full ban on smoking and vaping products, citing serious public health risks and the potential for increased drug dependence.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Ban vape, e-cigarettes to save lives: CAP
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has issued a strong call to action, urging both federal and state authorities to immediately ban the sale and use of vape and e-cigarettes to protect children and young people. Senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow warned that vape and e-cigarette use among children and teenagers, some as young as eight, is escalating. 'They are still studying and have not yet completed school. They are still young with ages ranging from eight to 16, but have already adopted the habit of smoking vape and e-cigarettes,' he said in a statement. Subbarow urged state governments that have not yet implemented a ban to follow the example of more proactive states and act swiftly to stop the sale of these products before more young lives are harmed. ALSO READ: Students caught vaping in school surau, set to receive disciplinary action 'The vape problem is not only in Pahang but throughout the country. The relevant ministry must take action seriously. Don't be complacent and leave this problem to the states to solve.' He also pointed out troubling trends among school students which have led to social problems as a result of smoking vape. 'Breakfast for these students is vape liquid.' Subbarow also reported disturbing incidents of students vaping inside school grounds and even in prayer rooms despite official school bans. CAP urged the Health Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry to take stronger enforcement measures in schools and universities. ALSO READ: Man shares final plea to quit vaping before dying from heart failure According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, over 14% of Malaysian teenagers aged 13 to 17 reported using e-cigarettes. The association also highlighted that the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has also called for a complete ban on e-cigarettes and vapes. Subbarow echoed concerns raised by Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin, who warned that vape products have become a 'silent trap' involving synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, ecstasy and fentanyl. 'Once you smoke by mistake, you may not have time to come back', Ayob was quoted as saying. ALSO READ: 12-year-old Thai girl on ventilator as vaping destroys nearly 100% of her lungs Subbarow said the crisis has escalated beyond state-level concern and requires urgent national intervention. The federal government has opted for a regulatory approach rather than a nationwide ban. On April 24, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the federal government supports state-level actions such as not issuing vape sales licences and his ministry would regulate tobacco-related products at the national level. He also reaffirmed that the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which covers vape and e-cigarette regulations, would come into force in June. However, the Act does not include a Generational End Game (GEG). Dzulkefly clarified that this decision was based on concerns raised by the Attorney-General's Chambers regarding the constitutionality of the GEG provision, rather than lobbying pressures. Penang has not officially banned the sale of e-cigarettes and vape products. To date, Johor and Kelantan have enforced bans on vape sales since 2016, while Terengganu is set to do so in August 2025. Selangor is also reviewing a potential ban. Subbarow said there were incidents of students vaping inside school grounds and even in prayer rooms. – Pic courtesy of Consumers Association of Penang
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Student's seizure in school toilet sparks renewed vape ban calls
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has renewed its call to the Health Ministry to impose a total ban on the sales of vapes and e-cigarettes, citing their contribution to increasing social issues among students. This follows yesterday's incident where a Form Three student from a school on the outskirts of Kangar was rushed to the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital after reportedly suffering a seizure, believed to have been triggered by vaping. Preliminary investigations revealed that the student had been vaping in the school toilet with friends. However, the specific type of vape device used has yet to be identified by medical staff. CAP senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow also urged the ministry to take heed of what Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay had to say on vaping. According to him, Ayob said state governments could take action to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes, which are now contributing to the abuse of new synthetic drugs. He said the growing trend of schoolchildren, some as young as 13, being found using vapes containing drug-related substances was an issue that, if left unchecked, could pose a new national threat. Subbarow said CAP had seen many young people falling into the trap of e-cigarettes and HTPs (Heated Tobacco Products), and becoming addicted to them. He said the liquid used in these items contained many harmful chemicals, such as nicotine, glycerine, glycol and propylene, which can cause respiratory illnesses, lung cancer and heart damage. "We call on the government to take action. We also call on educators, parents, carers and the community to continue to educate the children about the risks of vaping. "More delay in imposing a total ban on these items means more vape injury incidents in schools, as seen in Kangar yesterday. "The ministry should not practice the wait and see on attitude on this issue. Do not play with the students' lives," he told the New Straits Times. Elaborating, Subbarow said e-cigarettes also carried the risk of leaking and exploding, which could cause serious burns. He said during CAP's anti-vape, e-cigarettes and smoking talk programmes, it was found that many students were addicted to this culture. He said CAP was conducting counselling for students who confessed to being addicted. "Even though students are bared from bringing these items but they still continue to do so using various tactics. "CAP's survey found that many students use toilets as their smoking and vaping area. "This was confirmed from yesterday's case in Kangar. In another incident in March last year, a Form Two student at a secondary school in the Kangar district injured his leg after falling from the first floor roof of the school building. The incident is believed to have been caused by the student becoming delusional after smoking a vape he brought to school. "It is pointless to punish students who vape in the school. We need a total ban of the items. If nobody sells them, there will be no issue," he added, noting that many teachers had reported that vaping had a significant impact on students' behaviour and was disruptive to the learning environment.
