Limit Vape Sale To Pharmacies Smoking Cessation Clinics Says Ex Health Official

---

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad previously said the ministry was ready to reconsider a full ban on vapes and e-cigarettes if the situation demanded it, but that the priority for now was to regulate the use of the devices.
PETALING JAYA: A former health ministry official has called for the sale of electronic cigarette or vape devices to be limited to pharmacies or licensed establishments that offer smoking cessation services.

Dr Anita Suleiman, formerly of the ministry’s disease control division, said this was crucial to ensure that these devices can only be accessed and purchased by those seeking to quit smoking.
She told FMT that this measure would also make it easier for the ministry to monitor the sale of vapes while ensuring that the devices are strategically used to reduce tobacco consumption.
“Doctors (at smoking cessation clinics) and pharmacists can offer guidance to heavy smokers about the way to use vapes in a controlled manner,” said Anita, who is also president of the Harm Reduction Action Network.
She suggested that the ministry emulate the UK and impose a nicotine limit in vape liquids to curb addiction.
“The authorities should also restrict access to certain flavours of vape. Flavours like tobacco can be used to help heavy smokers quit the habit, but fruity and sweet flavours that would only attract teenagers need to be restricted.”
She said there was a need for social support programmes to complement the use of vapes as tobacco alternatives, as studies had found that the combination of vape and counselling had a better rate of success in helping people quit smoking.
Earlier this month, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry was ready to reconsider a full ban on vapes and e-cigarettes if the situation demanded it, but that the priority for now was to regulate the use of the devices.
Dzulkefly previously said Putrajaya had to fork out more than RM150,000 to treat a person suffering from e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injuries, or Evali. Forty-one of these cases were recorded from 2019 to Sept 30 last year.
Anita said vape still had its risks and could not be used for too long a period to help smokers kick the habit. The nicotine in the vape liquids could still cause addiction, she added.
She said a clear policy on the use of vapes to quit smoking needed to be drawn up, to prevent users from suffering chronic diseases like lung cancer.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh previously proposed limiting the sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes to those who intend to quit smoking.
Sharifa said there had been many cases of vape being abused as the device was widely sold. She added that even non-smokers had taken up vaping. - FMT

---