Latest news with #NationalPoisonCentre
The Star
6 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Number of vape poisoning among youth up
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 76 poisoning cases linked to exposure to vapes suspected of containing prohibited substances were referred to the National Poison Centre (PRN) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Poison Information Service from 2020 to last year. PRN senior pharmacist Mohd Fadhli Razali said the statistics show a sharp increase, with a significant spike starting in 2022, when 65% or 17 cases were recorded out of the total vape exposure cases referred that year. 'These cases have risen annually, with 79% (27 cases) in 2023 and 68% (26 cases) in 2024. 'The majority, 81%, of vapes involved claimed to be magic mushroom vapes. 'Most cases involved teenagers aged 15 to 19 years (41%) and early adults aged 20 years (53%), indicating a growing trend among the younger generation,' he said in a statement yesterday, reported Bernama. He said these findings highlight the urgent need for the government to take immediate action to prevent more young people from falling victim to addiction, particularly to new types of drugs like synthetic cannabinoids (lab-made substances that are chemically similar to chemicals found in the cannabis plant) detected in vape liquids. Mohd Fadhli said most affected individuals experience symptoms such as seizures, fainting and vomiting, as well as issues like hallucinations, delusions, and behavioural changes, including aggression. More alarmingly, many cases show severe poisoning symptoms even after just one or two puffs, posing risks to themselves and those around them, Mohd Fadhli added. He said PRN's analysis of several vape liquid samples, claimed to contain magic mushrooms, revealed they actually contained synthetic drugs capable of causing severe, potentially fatal poisoning. 'This shows how easily vapes can be manipulated. Strict controls are necessary to prevent the abuse of dangerous drugs in society. Teenagers are the primary targets for these products due to easy access through online platforms, which are difficult to regulate,' he said. He stressed that the rising number of vape-related poisoning cases underscores the need for immediate enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) and support at the state level.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
81% of vape-related poisonings linked to ‘magic mushroom' flavour
National Poison Centre pharmacist Fadhli Razali warned that the synthetic cannabinoids found in 'magic mushroom' vapes can trigger violent or erratic behaviour. PETALING JAYA : A staggering 81% of vape-related poisoning cases handled by Universiti Sains Malaysia's poison centre involved products branded as 'magic mushroom' vapes, most of which were used by teenagers and young adults. The National Poison Centre (PRN) said it had seen a sharp rise in such cases since 2022, with many users experiencing seizures, hallucinations, vomiting, and behavioural changes after just one or two puffs. 'These are not harmless vapes. Most samples that we tested did not even contain real psilocybin, but synthetic drugs that can cause serious harm or death,' the centre's pharmacist Fadhli Razali said in a statement. He said between 2020 and 2024, the centre recorded 76 calls involving suspected illicit vape exposure. In 2022 alone, 65% of cases involved such vapes (17 cases), followed by 79% in 2023 (27 cases) and 68% so far this year (26 cases). PRN said the problem had increased among young people, with 41% of cases involving teens aged 15 to 19, and 53% involving those in their early 20s. 'These vapes are easily manipulated to include dangerous substances. Without strict control, it becomes an open door to drug abuse,' he said. Fadhli also warned that the synthetic cannabinoids found in these vapes could trigger violent or erratic behaviour, causing harm to users and those around them. He said these products, often sold online and marketed as trendy or exotic, were now considered a public health threat by PRN. 'We urge all state governments to act urgently and uniformly in banning vape sales, and the federal government must begin enforcing its laws immediately,' he said. He said PRN fully supported the current move by state governments to outlaw vape products and called for a nationwide ban to protect youths from a 'hidden but dangerous drug epidemic'.
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Just one puff': Poison Centre warns of severe symptoms from drug-laced ‘Magic Mushroom' vapes targeting teens
GEORGE TOWN, June 4 — A total of 76 poisoning cases linked to exposure to vapes suspected of containing prohibited substances were referred to the National Poison Centre (PRN) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Poison Information Service from 2020 to last year. PRN Senior Pharmacist Officer Mohd Fadhli Razali said the statistics show a sharp increase, with a significant spike starting in 2022 when 65 per cent, or 17 cases, were recorded out of the total vape exposure cases referred that year. 'These cases have risen annually, with 79 per cent (27 cases) in 2023 and 68 per cent (26 cases) in 2024. The majority, 81 per cent, involved vapes claimed to be Magic Mushroom Vape. 'Most cases involved teenagers aged 15 to 19 years (41 per cent) and early adults aged 20 years (53 per cent), indicating a growing trend among the younger generation,' he said in a statement today. He said these findings highlight the urgent need for the government to take immediate action to prevent more young people from falling victim to addiction, particularly to new types of drugs like synthetic cannabinoids (lab-made substances that are chemically similar to chemicals found in the cannabis plant) detected in vape liquids. Mohd Fadhli said most affected individuals experience symptoms such as seizures, fainting, vomiting, and psychiatric issues like hallucinations, delusions and behavioural changes, including aggression. More alarmingly, many cases show severe poisoning symptoms even after just one or two puffs, posing risks to themselves and those around them, he added. He said PRN's analysis of several vape liquid samples, claimed to contain Magic Mushroom, revealed they actually contained synthetic drugs capable of causing severe, potentially fatal poisoning. 'This shows how easily vapes can be manipulated. Without strict controls, it opens the door to the abuse of dangerous drugs in society. Teenagers are the primary targets for these products due to easy access through online platforms, which are difficult to regulate,' he said. He stressed that the rising number of vape-related poisoning cases underscores the need for immediate enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) and support at the state level. — Bernama
The Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Vape poisoning among youths on worrying rise
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 76 poisoning cases linked to exposure to vapes suspected of containing prohibited substances were referred to the National Poison Centre (PRN) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Poison Information Service from 2020 to last year. PRN Senior Pharmacist Officer Mohd Fadhli Razali said the statistics show a sharp increase, with a significant spike starting in 2022 when 65 per cent, or 17 cases, were recorded out of the total vape exposure cases referred that year. 'These cases have risen annually, with 79 per cent (27 cases) in 2023 and 68 per cent (26 cases) in 2024. The majority, 81 per cent, involved vapes claimed to be Magic Mushroom Vape. 'Most cases involved teenagers aged 15 to 19 years (41 per cent) and early adults aged 20 years (53 per cent), indicating a growing trend among the younger generation,' he said in a statement today. He said these findings highlight the urgent need for the government to take immediate action to prevent more young people from falling victim to addiction, particularly to new types of drugs like synthetic cannabinoids (lab-made substances that are chemically similar to chemicals found in the cannabis plant) detected in vape liquids. Mohd Fadhli said most affected individuals experience symptoms such as seizures, fainting, vomiting, and psychiatric issues like hallucinations, delusions and behavioural changes, including aggression. More alarmingly, many cases show severe poisoning symptoms even after just one or two puffs, posing risks to themselves and those around them, he added. He said PRN's analysis of several vape liquid samples, claimed to contain Magic Mushroom, revealed they actually contained synthetic drugs capable of causing severe, potentially fatal poisoning. 'This shows how easily vapes can be manipulated. Without strict controls, it opens the door to the abuse of dangerous drugs in society. Teenagers are the primary targets for these products due to easy access through online platforms, which are difficult to regulate,' he said. He stressed that the rising number of vape-related poisoning cases underscores the need for immediate enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) and support at the state level.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Vape poisoning among youths on worrying rise, warns National Poison Centre
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 76 poisoning cases linked to exposure to vapes suspected of containing prohibited substances were referred to the National Poison Centre (PRN) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Poison Information Service from 2020 to last year. PRN Senior Pharmacist Officer Mohd Fadhli Razali said the statistics show a sharp increase, with a significant spike starting in 2022 when 65 per cent, or 17 cases, were recorded out of the total vape exposure cases referred that year. 'These cases have risen annually, with 79 per cent (27 cases) in 2023 and 68 per cent (26 cases) in 2024. The majority, 81 per cent, involved vapes claimed to be Magic Mushroom Vape. 'Most cases involved teenagers aged 15 to 19 years (41 per cent) and early adults aged 20 years (53 per cent), indicating a growing trend among the younger generation,' he said in a statement today. He said these findings highlight the urgent need for the government to take immediate action to prevent more young people from falling victim to addiction, particularly to new types of drugs like synthetic cannabinoids (lab-made substances that are chemically similar to chemicals found in the cannabis plant) detected in vape liquids. Mohd Fadhli said most affected individuals experience symptoms such as seizures, fainting, vomiting, and psychiatric issues like hallucinations, delusions and behavioural changes, including aggression. More alarmingly, many cases show severe poisoning symptoms even after just one or two puffs, posing risks to themselves and those around them, he added. He said PRN's analysis of several vape liquid samples, claimed to contain Magic Mushroom, revealed they actually contained synthetic drugs capable of causing severe, potentially fatal poisoning. 'This shows how easily vapes can be manipulated. Without strict controls, it opens the door to the abuse of dangerous drugs in society. Teenagers are the primary targets for these products due to easy access through online platforms, which are difficult to regulate,' he said. He stressed that the rising number of vape-related poisoning cases underscores the need for immediate enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) and support at the state level.
