At a press conference marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, MCTC and the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (Pemadam) reiterated their call for a nationwide ban on vape sales and promotions.
They cited a growing trend of vape liquids laced with drugs and increasing misuse among students.
“The design may be new, but the risk is familiar,” said MCTC secretary-general Sha’ani Abdullah.
“That old line about vape being ‘95% less harmful’ is misleading when taken out of context,” he said, referring to a report commissioned by Public Health England, an executive agency of England’s Health and Social Care Department.
“It referred to regulated use in medical settings, not mass retail.”
Sha’ani also warned that current vape products often contain additives like ammonium, which increase nicotine absorption. Some are mixed with psychoactive substances such as THC and ketamine, he said.
“After 2015, the composition of vape liquids became more complex and dangerous. That early study no longer applies.”
Sha’ani added that the appeal of vape, which is odourless, flavoured, and easy to conceal, made it a gateway to drug use, especially among teens.
He urged the government to enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act (Act 852) which came into effect on Oct 1 last year.
Act 852 is aimed at regulating vape sales, advertising and promotion.
However, full enforcement has yet to begin, and vape devices remain widely available, including online, Sha’ani said.
He said delaying enforcement could heighten health and safety risks linked to drug misuse through vape.
“Lungs are for clean air. There’s no reason to let in harmful chemicals just because the packaging looks modern.”
In June, the health ministry assured that nicotine-based vape liquids remained tightly regulated under Act 852, despite the green light for their sale in Malaysia.
Hashim Anang, a member of Pemadam’s National Anti-Drug Council, raised concerns about students hiding vape devices under motorcycle seats before entering school, pointing to a lack of awareness among parents and teachers.
“Enforcement alone won’t work. We need to raise awareness in homes and classrooms,” he said.