Latest news with #Yuneswaran
The Star
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Govt must ban vapes to avoid burdening public healthcare system, says Segamat MP
JOHOR BARU: Firm action has to be taken by the government to completely ban vape usage, distribution and sale to avoid heavily burdening the public healthcare system, says a Johor lawmaker. Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran highlighted the economic burden on the healthcare system, where the treatment for a single Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (Evali) patient could cost up to RM150,000. 'Without effective controls, treatment costs for vape-related diseases could rise to RM369mil annually by 2030, nearly matching the government's projected vape tax revenue of RM500mil per year. 'This shows any economic benefit from the vape industry does not justify the healthcare costs,' he said in a statement Tuesday (June 3). He pointed out that several state governments such as Johor, Kedah and Terengganu have stopped renewing business licences for vape sales, effectively banning the product in their jurisdictions. Yuneswaran also criticised the federal government's move in 2023 to exempt vape nicotine liquids from the Poisons Act 1952, which allowed the unregulated sale of vape products. 'This has caused the vape market to grow rapidly, making it even harder to control, especially among youths,' he said. He also lamented the removal of the Generational End Game (GEG) clause from the recently passed Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2023. The clause would have banned the sale of nicotine products to anyone born after 2007. 'That was a missed opportunity because without GEG and comprehensive controls, efforts to curb nicotine addiction among youths will be even more difficult,' he said. On Monday (June 2), the Health Ministry issued a statement saying that e-cigarette liquids can be legally sold in Malaysia, but they are subject to strict regulations aimed at protecting public health. The ministry was reportedly responding to recent media reports about a company that had been granted an interim manufacturing licence to produce e-cigarette devices using nicotine-infused liquids or gels. The ministry said decisions related to the importation, manufacturing and distribution of such liquids are 'collectively made by various government agencies'. It clarified that the issuance of manufacturing licences falls under the purview of the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry via the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, as provided for under the Industrial Coordination Act.
New Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Ban vape sales nationwide, says Segamat MP
KUALA LUMPUR: A member of parliament has called on the government to impose a total ban on the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes or vape products, citing the escalating threat they pose to public health, especially among youths. Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran said the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes among teenagers poses a significant threat to their well-being, with data showing that 14.9 per cent of adolescents aged 13 to 17 were vaping in 2022, up from 9.8 per cent in 2017. "This sharp increase reflects a disturbing rise in nicotine addiction among the younger generation and has serious implications for their physical and mental health," he said in a statement today. He cited medical studies showing that the nicotine content in vape liquids can impair brain development, memory and focus in teenagers, while also increasing the risk of anxiety, depression and future substance abuse. Yuneswaran also highlighted several vape-related health incidents, including a 16-year-old girl who died of acute heart failure linked to EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury), and a two-year-old child who suffered long-term neurological complications after ingesting vape liquid. As of mid-June 2023, the Health Ministry had reported 17 cases of EVALI nationwide. Yuneswaran also did not agree with the government's decision to exempt nicotine vape liquids from the Poisons Act, allowing them to be sold freely, and said the removal of the Generational End Game (GEG) clause from recent legislation was a missed opportunity to protect future generations. "The cost of treating vape-related illnesses could reach RM369 million annually by 2030, nearly offsetting the projected vape tax revenue of RM500 million. "This highlights the unsustainable burden on our public health system," he said. Several states, including Johor, Kedah and Terengganu, have already taken steps to prohibit vape sales by refusing to renew business licences for vape retailers. "These efforts must be extended nationwide. The government must act decisively. "Short-term tax gains should never outweigh long-term health consequences," Yuneswaran said.
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah seeks appeal after PKR leadership defeat
JOHOR BARU: Tebrau member of Parliament Jimmy Puah Wee Tse will file an appeal following his defeat in the race for Tebrau PKR division chief during the party elections last Sunday. Jimmy, who is also Johor PKR deputy chairman said he would go through party channels to submit the appeal. "We are always here. Always ready to serve the people of Tebrau. "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. What matters is the courage to keep going. The work continues. The fight goes on. Yes, we will file an appeal or objection," he said in a Facebook post today. Meanwhile, when contacted, Jimmy—who is also the former Johor chairman for International Trade, Investment and Utilities—confirmed he would file an appeal over the defeat but declined to comment further. Last Sunday, there was a surprise outcome in the PKR Tebrau division elections, where two MPs—Jimmy (Tebrau) and R. Yuneswaran (Segamat), who was the incumbent Tebrau division chief—lost to ordinary PKR member M. Prakash. Prakash secured 690 votes, defeating Yuneswaran who received 589 votes, while Jimmy obtained 560 votes. The loss dashed Jimmy's bid to transition from being the Pulai division chief to leading the Tebrau division, which is also the parliamentary seat he currently holds. Yuneswaran also failed to retain his position as Tebrau division chief in the election.
