LETTER | Well being Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa just lately introduced that the federal government is within the midst of finalising the Management of Smoking Product for Public Well being Invoice 2023, forward of its tabling on the Dewan Rakyat subsequent month.

There have been calls to expedite the tabling of the invoice, also referred to as the generational finish recreation (GEG) Invoice.

This urgency arises from the alarming rise of vaping amongst our college kids and youth. It’s crucial that we handle this difficulty promptly and successfully, and an important step in attaining this purpose is to ascertain a transparent distinction between smoking and vaping.

Vaping gadgets, generally known as vapes, usually include nicotine together with a cocktail of different chemical compounds which can be identified to be detrimental to well being.

Customers of those gadgets are unknowingly exposing their respiratory methods to a variety of probably dangerous substances. This presents a severe well being concern that warrants rapid consideration.

In distinction, conventional cigarette smoking has, within the eyes of as we speak’s youth, change into synonymous with unhealthy and unsavoury habits.

The societal notion of lighting up a paper-wrapped, plant-and-chemical-filled cigarette has developed to the purpose the place it’s thought-about a taboo follow.

Given this distinction, it’s important that we handle vaping and smoking as distinct points with various implications for public well being.

To this finish, it’s incumbent upon the Well being Ministry and media to offer clear and unequivocal definitions of what constitutes smoking and vaping, particularly in information reporting regarding their utilization amongst minors.

This readability is critical to make sure that the general public is well-informed in regards to the dangers related to every exercise and may make knowledgeable selections.

Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that the federal government and Well being Ministry take into account the inclusion of nicotine-containing vape liquids inside the provisions of the GEG Invoice.

Whereas tobacco merchandise have lengthy been a topic of regulation, the rise of vaping has created a brand new and equally pressing problem.

To comprehensively handle the difficulty of nicotine habit amongst our youth, the GEG Invoice ought to embody all types of nicotine supply methods, together with e-cigarettes and vape liquids.

Moreover, it’s important to ponder how the federal government intends to implement provisions towards these discovered responsible of promoting tobacco services or products for smoking to people born after Jan 1, 2007.

Ought to this particular provision embody vaping merchandise as properly, and the way will it apply to sellers working by e-commerce platforms or social media channels? These are pertinent questions that demand solutions to make sure the effectiveness of the regulatory measures.

In conclusion, the clear distinction between smoking and vaping is a matter of paramount significance in our effort to safeguard the well being and well-being of our youth.

It’s important that the federal government, in collaboration with the Well being Ministry and media, gives exact definitions, laws and enforcement measures to handle the distinctive challenges posed by each smoking and vaping.

Solely by a complete and well-defined strategy can we hope to mitigate the dangers related to these practices and defend the well being of our future generations.

The views expressed listed here are these of the creator/contributor and don’t essentially signify the views of Malaysiakini.