Debates on vaping attract non-smokers
TAWAU: The debates on vaping and the amount of news generated have indirectly given vaping a huge publicity, said a former educationist.
Lee Chye Ewe said the hot debate on vaping would not really attract the attention of non-smokers. However, when different government ministers openly contradicted each other on the banning or confiscating of vape machines, it had drawn the attention of many.
“To a non-smoker, smoking and vaping are both the same although one produces smoke while the other produces vapour; people who do not smoke would be unlikely to vape as well,” said the former secondary teacher who is a non-smoker.
“It is not surprising that many would be tempted to try it out after such publicity. Whether such ‘publicity’ was intentional or otherwise depends on how one interprets it.”
Lee added vape or e-cigarette was invented as an alternative to smoking or rather to help smokers quit smoking. Hon Lik from China invented this e-cigarette after his father died of cancer due to heavy smoking. He was trying to help others quit smoking.
“The intention was good. However, his invention and intention have since been improved and altered. On the surface, vaping seems to be safer than smoking. However, the presence of nicotine in the vape liquid is alarming. This is one part which most people are worried. To continuously inhale the high concentration of nicotine through repeated vaping or smoking is equally harmful to one’s health. Vape liquid could contain nicotine and other unknown ‘ingredients’ which are bad for health.
“Although smoking has long been proven to be harmful to health and banned in public places, a total ban has never taken place. On the other hand, not so much scientific studies have been made on vaping. Therefore, vaping will remain legal, although the possibility of its bad effects could not be denied,” he pointed out.
According to him, the more practical approach would be to educate the people, especially the younger generation, while at the same time it should be regulated. Stern action must be taken on traders who sell nicotine-added vape liquid. Those in the seat of power, especially government ministers and others, must also stop defending vaping publicly so as to not send out the wrong message.
Vaping is no longer an excuse to quit smoking, it has become a new form of addiction. Engaging in healthier activities and picking up healthier hobbies are more effective and lasting ways if one seriously wishes to quit smoking.
Meanwhile, a social activist, Datuk Chin Chee Syn, also agreed that vaping should be banned because of its nicotine content and possibly drugs such as cannabis and methamphetamine. Although not all ‘vapers’ may add some drugs when vaping, once it happens, others may follow suit and the resulting vapour may affect innocent victims.
Chin said the vapour of electronic cigarette is at least five times more than the ordinary cigarette; for example, if eight persons were smoking electronic cigarette in a coffee shop, it tends to create‘a city of smoke in the coffee shop.
“The Ministry of Health has also disclosed that vaping for one hour is equivalent to smoking 150 cigarettes and we can imagine how much that will hurt the human body then. Recently, there has been news about the battery of an electronic cigarette catching fire inside the plane. Such incident is scary and does not guarantee the safety of passengers, he said.
“However, it has become trendy nowadays among the young people to indulge in vaping due to curiosity,” he added.
Tawau Parti Gerakan complaint bureau chief James Leong Yun Fui has also strongly advised smokers to stop smoking either ordinary cigarette or electronic cigarette as it does not bring any direct benefits and is harmful to health. In fact, he said the vapour of electronic cigarette is tenfold more than ordinary cigarette.
Zafrin Nordin opined that banning vape may not be a wise decision as it may create hatred from the people towards the government. It is considered an alternative for the smokers in their bid to quit smoking despite the potential danger it may pose.
“I think cigarettes, beer and night clubs should be banned first. By the way, a car is also not safe as many Malaysians have died because of car accident. The car also produces contaminated smoke, so should we also ban the car?”Zafrin asked.
United Sabah Dusun Association vice president 1, Sylvester S. Taing is against vaping as there is too much smoke, especially inside buildings and eatery premises.
“The relevant ministry and agency should check what is being put into the vape. And there should be new regulations for vape users,” he said.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat Tawau branch secretary Gan Chee Chan said it is not the question of whether to ban or not to ban vaping. What is more important to conduct a study of the effect from vaping.
“A thorough study on the effect of vaping should be done and its contents should be considered. The government should set up a task force for this study as soon as possible to avoid confusion, disorder and anxiety. A study should also be done on the effects of public inhaling the smoke,” he said.