Keep an open mind on vaping
Let’s not forget that our main goal is to get Malaysia to be cigarette smoke-free.
I READ with interest the ongoing debate on smoking in Malaysia, a polemic sparked by the government’s recent decision to declare all open-air eateries as smoke-free zones beginning 2019.
As a former smoker and now vaper, this is a move that I fully support.
The question now is what’s next? While the implementation of non-smoking zones is a big step, is it enough for Malaysia to be free of cigarette smoke?
Bear in mind that in the past, despite numerous government campaigns, the number of smokers in Malaysia remains stubbornly high at five million after 10 years.
This brings me to a point that I feel has been conspicuously absent from this debate, namely exploring the role that cigarette alternatives can do to help existing cigarette smokers to quit.
Although this is not free from controversy, making the case for alternatives is not as unorthodox as it seems.
The United Kingdom has done it. Its own National Health Service (NHS) has said that not only are alternatives safer than cigarettes, in fact, the risk of secondhand smoke also does not apply to alternatives as they do not burn and produce smoke.
In Japan, Japanese consumers of alternatives have made the switch from cigarettes not only due to the health benefits but because of hygienic factors as well.
And it makes sense as alternatives are less of a nuisance; they emit water vapour and not smoke. Most importantly, there are no ashes as they do not burn like cigarettes.
I can speak from my own experience. Having made the switch to vape, I feel better, my family feels better and my friends feel better being around me.
On top of this, the facts are clear – alternatives have been effective in supporting public health to get smokers to quit.
In the United Kingdom, 50% of users of alternatives have completely stopped smoking cigarettes. In Japan, two million smokers have switched to alternatives, with around 72% of heated tobacco users quitting smoking.
The evidence has been so compelling that even New Zealand has recently made the switch to be more open about the role of alternatives to address smoking-related issues.
Now, am I suggesting that users of alternatives be subject to looser laws? No way!
It’s wrong to smoke in front of a non-smoker. It’s imposing on them. If you think otherwise, try lighting up with a helmet on your head.
This should also apply to consumers of alternatives; there’s no two ways about it.
Moreover, it’s important to advocate for the right to information for smokers to know more about alternatives so that they can make an informed choice to switch.
Ultimately, let’s not forget that our main goal is to get Malaysia to be cigarette smoke-free.
As such, it’s worth to at least keep an open mind about viewing alternatives as another step to reduce smoking rates or, in other words, an effective way to put water vapour on fire.