I am deeply shocked and disappointed by the government’s decision, together with Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, to appeal the entirety of the High Court’s ruling concerning the delisting of liquid nicotine.
This move creates the impression that the government is more interested in defending a controversial policy than listening to the concerns of parents, educators, health care professionals, and law enforcement agencies.
Even more alarming is the growing body of evidence and reports over recent years showing a sharp rise in vape addiction among teenagers and schoolchildren. The police have repeatedly warned that vaping devices are increasingly being used as a vehicle for the abuse of synthetic drugs and other illicit substances that are difficult to detect through conventional enforcement measures.
The question is simple: why is the government continuing to defend a policy that potentially expands access to nicotine addiction among the younger generation?
If the government is truly committed to protecting public health and safeguarding the future of our children, it should seriously consider stronger measures, including a complete ban on vaping products, as adopted or contemplated by a number of countries around the world.
We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes made with conventional cigarettes, where industry interests were allowed to flourish while society ultimately paid the price through immense healthcare costs, addiction, and preventable disease.
The government must decide whether it stands with the health and well-being of Malaysians or with an industry whose impact on our youth is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
I call on the government to withdraw this appeal, undertake a comprehensive review of the nation’s vaping policy, and seriously consider a total ban on vape products in order to protect Malaysian children from nicotine addiction and the growing risk of drug abuse.
At a time when the Royal Malaysia Police have repeatedly raised concerns about the growing misuse of vape devices for drug consumption, the government has chosen to defend a policy that makes nicotine more accessible.
Malaysians have every right to ask: who is the government really protecting — the health of our children or the interests of the vape industry?
Dr Halimah Ali is MP for Kapar.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
