Latest news with #NgweHeeSem
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Melaka health dept drafting proposal on vape ban
Melaka health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said nicotine content in vapes poses addiction risks and health hazards. PETALING JAYA : The Melaka health department is preparing a proposal to ban the manufacturing and sale of e-cigarettes or vapes in the state. State health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said the proposal will be presented to the state executive council for a decision later this year. 'The state government has yet to take a position on whether to support or reject the ban, as the matter is still under review,' Bernama reported him as saying during the Melaka assembly sitting at Seri Negeri today. He was responding to Low Chee Leong (PH-Kota Laksamana), who asked about the state government's stance on vape sales. Ngwe said while vapes are often seen as a safer alternative to conventional smoking, their nicotine content still poses addiction risks and health hazards, and are by no means 100% safe. He said vape liquids contain various harmful heavy metals such as nickel, chromium and arsenic, all classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. 'They also contain cobalt, which is toxic to the lungs, and cadmium, which can damage the kidneys and is also linked to cancer. 'These heavy metals have also been associated with mental health issues, including depression,' he said.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
Melaka Steps Up Sugar Reduction Campaign After Study Reveals 1 In 2 People In State Are Overweight
MELAKA, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Melaka state government has stepped up its sugar reduction campaign at eateries in the state after a 2023 health study revealed that at least one out of two people in the state were either overweight or obese. State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said based on the findings of the four-year National Health and Morbidity Study (NHMS), the overweight rate of people in the state was 33.3 per cent while the obesity rate was 25.1 per cent, adding that both rates were higher than their national averages. "Melaka is the state with the second highest number of diabetic patients overall, at 20.5 percent, inloving those who knew they had diabetes during the study and those who didn't know they were diabetic during the study but with blood tests indicating that they actually had the disease.
The Star
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Melaka Health Dept drafting proposal to ban vape manufacture and sale
MELAKA: The Melaka Health Department is preparing a proposal to ban the manufacturing and sale of e-cigarettes or vape products in the state. State health, human resources and unity committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said the proposal will be presented to the state executive council for a decision later this year. "At this stage, the state government has yet to take a position on whether to support or reject the ban, as the matter is still under review,' he said during the Melaka legislative assembly sitting at Seri Negeri on Wednesday (July 23). Low Chee Leong (PH-Kota Laksamana) wanted to know the state government's stance on the sale of e-cigarettes. Ngwe explained that while e-cigarettes are often seen as a safer alternative to conventional smoking, their nicotine content still poses addiction risks and health hazards, and they are by no means a hundred percent safe. He said vape liquids contain various harmful heavy metals, such as nickel, chromium and arsenic, which are all classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and known to cause cancer. "They also contain cobalt, which is toxic to the lungs, and cadmium, which can damage the kidneys and is also linked to cancer. "Even more concerning, these heavy metals have been associated with mental health issues, including depression,' he said. – Bernama Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Star
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Air quality improves, only two areas remain unhealthy
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's air quality improved significantly yesterday, with only two locations recording unhealthy levels compared to nine areas on Monday, based on the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, according to the Environment Department (DOE). As of 5.30pm yesterday, DOE's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) website recorded two locations which are under the 'unhealthy' category. They are Johan Setia, in Klang, Selangor, with the highest reading of 154 and Nilai, Negri Sembilan, at 117. An API reading of 0-50 is categorised as good; 51-100 as moderate; 101-200 as unhealthy; 201-300 as very unhealthy; and anything above 300 is hazardous. Sixty-five areas across the country saw 'moderate' air quality levels with API between 53 and 96, compared to Monday (July 21) when 55 locations were under this category. The API in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, which was 157 on Monday, improved to 80 by yesterday evening. At 10am yesterday, Bernama reported that four locations were recorded as having unhealthy air quality based on the API readings. The locations are Seremban (155), Nilai (154), Johan Setia (151) and Balok Baru Kuantan, Pahang (140). Readings ranging from 101 to 200 could impact vulnerable groups including the elderly, children and those with respiratory issues. The Melaka Health Department is monitoring cases of asthma, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) following unhealthy API readings recorded in several areas of the state since Sunday. State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said that as of epidemiological week 29 (ending July 19), there has been no significant rise in cases compared to previous weeks. 'Surveillance data from week 23 (June) to week 29 show stable trends, but monitoring will continue as a precaution,' he said outside the Melaka State Legislative Assembly sitting at Seri Negeri yesterday. Ngwe said the state is managing haze-related health risks under the Health Ministry's Guidelines for Haze-Related Health Management, issued in 2020, and is prepared to act in line with the National Haze Action Plan if conditions worsen. He urged the public, especially high-risk groups such as children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses to minimise outdoor exposure, remain indoors when possible, limit physical activity, wear face masks outdoors and stay well-hydrated. More information on haze-related health precautions is available at and
Free Malaysia Today
22-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Boy, 7, dies after nearly drowning in Melaka apartment pool
The boy from Masai, Johor, had been hospitalised after almost drowning while swimming in the apartment's pool on Sunday. (Envanto Elements pic) MELAKA : The seven-year-old boy who was hospitalised at Melaka Hospital after nearly drowning in a swimming pool at an apartment in Taman Kota Laksamana died this morning. State health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said the student from SK Rinting 3, Johor, was confirmed dead by the hospital director at about 11am. 'The cause of death was loss of brain function. The victim had been on a ventilator, and it was supposed to be removed today to see if he could breathe on his own, but his heart stopped before that,' he told reporters outside the Melaka state legislative assembly in Seri Negeri here. Ngwe said the child's remains were claimed by his next of kin at 12.05pm today for burial in Johor. It was earlier reported that the boy, who is from Masai, Johor, had nearly drowned while swimming in the apartment's pool at about 9.30am on Sunday. Preliminary police investigations revealed that the boy had gone to the swimming pool with his family, who only realised he was missing after noticing he was no longer in the water. They then searched the area around the swimming pool and discovered that several members of the public had already pulled him out of the water. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital.
