Non-Malaysian children currently face a registration fee of RM40 for vaccination services and an additional charge of RM40 per vaccine injection in government health care facilities.
Health experts denounce the recent marketing tactics of vape companies, especially after liquid nicotine was declassified, calling it an unethical and irresponsible attempt to normalise vaping among children and teens.
Prof Dr Dayang Anita Abdul Aziz says smoking parents increase the risk of empyema thoracis in children, and warns that nicotine poses gender-specific risks, such as serious birth defects, menstrual cycle changes, and fertility issues in women.
Suhakam Children's Commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki says the declassification of liquid nicotine goes against the spirit of the Child Act, and that the UN CRC obliges Malaysia to implement preventive health care measures to protect a child's right to health.
Those of us who work and advocate for persons with disabilities are all too aware of how limited services and facilities are for such persons in Malaysia.
Dr Zaliha Mustafa tells various authorities to curb the sale of vape products to children, but did not specify if she would table the tobacco bill for a vote in the upcoming Parliament meeting. Vape – including for adults – is currently unregulated.
Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who previously served as Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s political secretary, says she will “definitely” look into matters affecting women and children.