KUALA LUMPUR – A recent survey has revealed a significant shift in the smoking habit of Malaysians with vaping becoming increasingly popular, especially among the youth, while traditional tobacco use continues to decline.
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023 indicates that the smoking prevalence among individuals aged 15 to 24 is 8.6%, which is higher than those in the 25 to 44 age group (7.1%), the 45 to 64 age group (2.8%), and those over 65 (0.7%).
This shift is underscored by a significant increase in current vape users, which has seen a near-eightfold rise since 2011, climbing from 0.8% to 5.8% over just a little more than a decade.
Additionally, about 4% of individuals report using both vaping and traditional tobacco products.
The survey highlights a dramatic rise in the awareness and use of vapes.
In 2011, only one-fifth of adults were aware of vapes, but this has surged to 68% in recent years.
Conversely, the prevalence of traditional tobacco use has seen a slight decline, dropping from 23.1% in 2011 to 19% last year.
The GATS survey was conducted by the Health Ministry in 2011 and 2023, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.
It involved a total of 4,269 Malaysians.
Limited awareness of risks, lack of anti-vape messaging
The GATS survey also revealed a disparity in public awareness regarding the health risks associated with vapes compared to traditional cigarettes.
Only 44.4% of respondents reported noticing information discouraging the use of vapes, in stark contrast to the 81.8% who noticed anti-cigarette information.
Furthermore, marketing for vapes seems to be more pervasive than traditional tobacco products.
The survey found that 40.5% of individuals noticed advertisements, sponsorships, or promotions for vapes, compared to 23.5% for tobacco products.
In response to these trends, the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, passed by the Dewan Negara on December 14 last year, extends advertising, promotion, and sponsorship bans to include vape and e-cigarette products.
Previously, such restrictions applied primarily to tobacco products under existing laws.
Former Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa explained that this legislative move was designed to cover a broader range of smoking-related products, ensuring that vapes and similar substitutes are subject to the same stringent controls as traditional tobacco.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has consistently noted that vape companies, like their tobacco counterparts, are prohibited from sponsoring sporting events in Malaysia.
However, several industry stakeholders argue that vape and e-cigarette products are not subjected to regulations as rigorous as traditional tobacco products.
Health concerns and perceptions
The survey also delves into the reasons behind the growing popularity of vapes.
Many users perceive them as less harmful than traditional cigarettes, and they find them more enjoyable due to the variety of flavours available.
Nevertheless, research published in the journal Toxicology in Vitro in 2021 indicates that vapes can cause more extensive cellular damage than traditional cigarettes.
Another study, titled “Pro-inflammatory effects of e-cigarette vapour condensate on human alveolar macrophages” published in 2018 found that e-cigarette vapour could significantly increase pro-inflammatory molecules in lung tissue, regardless of the nicotine content.
Sin tax and economic perspectives
Speaking to Scoop, Shankaran Nambiar, head of research at the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, advocated for the taxation of vapes.
“Vaping should definitely be subject to tax for two reasons: as a disincentive, and as a source of tax revenue,” he said, adding that the former rationale was of more importance.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 reported that 14.9% of 307,109 adolescents in Malaysia use e-cigarettes or vape products.
Currently, the Excise Duties (Amendment) Order 2023 imposes a relatively low excise duty of 40 sen/ml on e-cigarette liquids or gels. – June 23, 2024