IT costs over RM150,000 to treat vaping-related injuries for a patient who is warded for 12 days in hospital, the Dewan Rakyat has heard.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad warned that the cost of treating e-cigarette and vaping product use-associated lung injury (Evali) could spike further if nothing was done.
“If no regulatory steps are taken towards the use of smokers or vapes, the treatment cost is expected to spike up to RM368mil a year by 2030,” he said in a written reply dated Nov 13.
According to Dzulkefly, there have been 41 Evali cases reported from 2019 till Sept 30 this year.
He was responding to Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus), who had asked about the latest figures on diseases caused by e-cigarettes and vaping.
Dzulkefly said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 that was enforced beginning Oct 1 is aimed at ensuring stricter laws against the promotion, advertisement, sale and consumption of smoking products in public places.
“This Act will protect children and teenagers from being influenced into smoking and at the same time, reduce smoking-related risks and also treatment costs borne by the government.
“We also hope to spread awareness regarding the dangers of smoking and encourage positive changes in lifestyle and habits for better public health,” he added.
The new Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act makes it illegal to sell cigarette or vape products to anyone below 18, and requires anyone selling such products to register with the Health director-general within six months from Oct 1.
Source: The Star
