George Town, Malaysia – A concerning trend has emerged in Malaysia, with a total of 76 poisoning cases linked to vapes suspected of containing prohibited substances reported to the National Poison Centre (PRN) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from 2020 to 2023. The data, gathered through the Poison Information Service, indicates a significant increase in such cases, particularly among the youth.
Sharp Increase in Cases
The statistics reveal a troubling spike in vape-related poisoning incidents, especially starting in 2022. That year alone saw 65% of the total vape exposure cases, amounting to 17 cases. The trend has continued to escalate, with 79% (27 cases) reported in 2023 and 68% (26 cases) in 2024.
The majority of these cases, approximately 81%, involved vapes marketed as “magic mushroom” vapes. Alarmingly, the demographic most affected includes teenagers aged 15 to 19 years, accounting for 41% of cases, while early adults aged 20 years represent 53%. This data underscores a growing trend of substance use among younger individuals.
Urgent Need for Action
Mohd Fadhli emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to prevent further addiction among youth, particularly concerning new synthetic drugs like cannabinoids found in vape liquids. Many affected individuals have reported severe symptoms, including seizures, fainting, vomiting, hallucinations, delusions, and aggressive behavior.
More troubling is the fact that many cases exhibit severe poisoning symptoms after just one or two puffs, posing significant risks not only to the users but also to those around them. PRN’s analysis of vape liquid samples, which were claimed to contain magic mushrooms, revealed the presence of synthetic drugs capable of causing severe and potentially fatal poisoning.
Call for Stricter Regulations
The findings highlight the need for stringent regulations to combat the abuse of dangerous substances in society. Mohd Fadhli pointed out that teenagers are particularly vulnerable due to easy access to these products through online platforms, which are challenging to regulate effectively.
He stressed the importance of enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) and garnering support at the state level to address this growing public health crisis. The rising number of vape-related poisoning cases serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect the health and well-being of Malaysia’s youth.
As the situation develops, it is crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers to work together to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and to implement effective strategies to safeguard the younger generation from the risks associated with substance abuse.Bookmark messageCopy messageExport