KUALA LUMPUR: "Sedut dulu, baru pergi ke sekolah (snort first, before going to school)."
Aimed at minors, this tagline is used by an inhalant seller to promote their new vape-like product and has prompted concerns.
A health group said this new product is easily available in the market and could potentially sway youngsters and adults into more harmful substance use, like cocaine, commonly snorted through the nostrils.
Public Health Malaysia on its Facebook page has gone on record to condemn the sale of the new type of inhalant which promises an energised start to the day, with just one snort.
The so-called energy stick apparently gives a boost to its user that students and adults are encouraged to take.
The veracity of this claim by the seller has yet to be verified but these inhalants can be easily bought as cheap as RM2.50.
Snorting is usually associated with synthetic and recreational drug use such as cocaine and its variants.
The public service announcement also warned consumers that this product which mostly contains harmful chemicals could cause multiple health problems, including damaging the nostrils, respiratory system and causing infections.
The post also asked the government and relevant authorities to carry out the necessary tests for its safe consumption or impose a ban on it, if it's found to pose a health risk.
It said the sellers use catchy taglines such as 'snort first, then head to school' and 'snort first to start your day' to entice the customers.