I REFER to the vape issue reported by the New Straits Times on Nov 11. On page 12, four pictures were featured, of which two prompted me to write on this issue.
One was the picture of the Malaysian E-vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) president in a “threatening posture”, holding a bottle of vape liquid and the other picture was of a man with injuries to his face due to vaping (his vapouriser exploded when he was about to take a puff).
The Health Ministry should nip this problem in the bud. Act now and do not be deterred by distractions.
I wonder why people like to indulge in self-annihilation. Hospitals are filled with patients suffering from tobacco-related diseases; we do not want “new” diseases caused by vaping.
There are four basic ingredients in vape juice: water, nicotine, glycol (propylene or vegetable glycerine base) and flavourings; other fluids are often added, such as formalin or formaldehyde.
Formalin is a strong-smelling fluid used to embalm dead bodies and fix specimens in pathology labs.
When formalin vapour is inhaled, some individuals may experience adverse effects, such as watery eyes, burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritation.
These are the short-term effects. The dreadful long-term effect is cancer of various organs.
Formalin in a known carcinogen. If physical contact with formalin is dangerous, what more inhaling it?
Common forms of cancer are blood cancer (particularly myeloid leukaemia), lymphoid cancer (lymphoma) and brain cancer.
On the same page of the report was a statement from the rural and regional development minister, who was worried that the Health Ministry’s decision to ban vaping would kill the industry.
This is the kind of industry we do not need in Malaysia. If the country wants to progress to developed-nation status, its people must have progressive minds. Vaping or cigarette smoking should not be a part of it.
n N.H.O., Kubang Kerian, Kelantan