KOTA KINABALU: Alliance for a Safe Community Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye today called on the government to take a serious view of uncontrolled vaping, especially among school students.
He said schools throughout the country should act against vaping among students and organise campaigns to fight the scourge—that of vaping.
“Vaping and vape-related issues are causes of concern to parents, teachers, and the education authorities.
“Students in some schools have been found to be vaping in toilets and in unused classrooms. In a recent case, six students in a secondary school in Selangor were found vomiting after inhaling a vape that was shared among themselves,” he said in a statement here.
Lee said the student was visibly ‘high’ with bloodshot eyes, and he could not stand or walk properly.
The Education Ministry has rolled out several measures to address this problem, to be implemented during school assemblies, alternate classes, group guidance sessions, anti-smoking/vape campaigns, lectures, exhibitions, and co-curricular activities, he said.
“It is a well-acknowledged fact that vaping poses significant health risks, especially to young, developing bodies.
“These include nicotine addiction, lung damage, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Vaping can lead to the use of traditional tobacco products, thus perpetuating a cycle of addiction,” he added.
According to Lee, vaping can also negatively impact academic performance and cause addicts to drop out of school at an early age, causing a burden to parents and society.
“School authorities and students could buttress the efforts of the Education Ministry in several ways.
“They could empower students to take a stand against vaping by implementing peer-to-peer education programs, including encouraging students who have quit vaping to share their stories and experiences with their peers,” he said.
In addition, Lee said they could collaborate with popular celebrities and social media influencers to spread anti-vaping messages by relating their personal inspirational stories.
“Like the Rotary Club, they could organise poster design contests or short film festivals centred on the theme of anti-vaping where students could express their thoughts and feelings.
“Since parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s attitudes and behaviours, they and the students’ guardians should be roped in for informational sessions.
“It takes a collective effort from schools, parents, communities, and students themselves to combat the vaping habit and create a healthier and more productive future for the next generation.
“As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure,” he said.
