18-05-2025
Unregulated e-cigarettes pose severe health risks
PETALING JAYA: Originally used as an anaesthetic, etomidate is now being misused recreationally in e-cigarettes, or vapes, warns a psychiatrist and addiction specialist.
Unregulated vapes have been found to contain heavy metals, synthetic cannabinoids and harmful solvents, increasing the risk of respiratory and neurological damage, particularly among adolescents, said Monash University Malaysia Associate Professor and KPJ Puteri Hospital consultant, Dr Anne Yee.
Dr Yee, who is also a Universiti Malaya Centre of Addiction Sciences (UMCAS) Adjunct Professor and Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia (AMAM) honorary secretary, said youngsters – already at greater risk of nicotine addiction, psychosis, respiratory damage and long-term cognitive impairment – are now exposed to the dangers of etomidate, or 'Eto'.
'The latest trend we are seeing is Eto being added to vape liquids.
'Mixed with alcohol or other substances like opioids or benzodiazepines, Eto becomes even more deadly.
'Many of these products are produced illegally, so users do not know what they are inhaling.
'This increases toxicity risks,' she said, adding that aggressive marketing, flavoured vape liquids and easy online availability contribute to the rising prevalence of drug-laced vapes among adolescents.
With vapes getting sleeker and smaller, the devices can be used discreetly, making it harder for parents and teachers to notice when students are vaping in schools or at home, said Dr Yee.
The health consequences are severe, she warned.
'We need stronger regulations. Either ban or strictly control flavoured and high-nicotine vapes that attract youths,' she said, adding that stringent enforcement targeting illegal online sellers is crucial.
Schools and parents must also do their part, Dr Yee said, stressing on the importance of early education on the risks of drug-laced vapes.
Early intervention programmes for at-risk youths are crucial too, she said.
Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) Karangan director Zuraidah Ayob said the facility, which houses the country's first and only National Anti-Drugs Agency school, is currently conducting treatment and rehabilitation for 22 students aged between 15 and 21.
'The use of illegal substances in vapes needs our urgent attention because increasingly, we are seeing youths using 'magic mushroom' and cannabis liquids in their vapes, whether knowingly or otherwise.
'These illegal liquids may even contain dangerous synthetic drugs,' she said, adding that vapes make it easier for youths and even children to do drugs due to their ease of access.
'You used to need paraphernalia like a kitchen, fire and aluminum foil to do drugs.
'Now, you just add the liquid into vapes that come in all shapes and sizes.
'Some children may start vaping out of curiosity, social media influence or peer pressure and then get hooked on the habit.'
Citing Education Ministry data, she said as at September last year, a total of 12,252 students were found vaping in schools.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 report also showed a rise in vapers aged between 13 and 17, from 9.8% in 2017, to 14.9% in 2022.
Youngsters, she said, start with 'light' stuff like nicotine liquids before progressing to other dangerous drugs.
'They associate nicotine with positive feelings and over time, their psychological barriers to other dangerous drugs are lowered.'
