JOHOR BARU: The Education Ministry (MOE) is considering a proposal to establish special regulations to curb vaping among students, which is currently a concerning issue.
The Education director-general, Azman Adnan, said that the MOE will collaborate with the Health Ministry (MOH) to ensure that the trend of students freely purchasing vape products can be addressed effectively.
"God willing, we will work together with MOH to examine proposals (special regulations) regarding the increasing trend of students using vape, including cigarettes.
"This is among MOE's commitments to ensure that this matter (increase in vape use) can be addressed and curbed, and initiatives have been implemented by the ministry along with various agencies including the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).
"In schools, there are already rules and specific guidelines regarding these matters (vape, cigarettes, and drugs), and mandates have been given to teachers to curb the spread of vape and smoking trends," he said.
He said this during a media briefing after observing the first day of school at SMK Sultan Ismail (SSI), here, today.
Also present was the Johor Education and Information Committee chairman, Aznan Tamin.
Further commenting, Azman said that efforts to address the issue have also received cooperation from the police, which has been established previously.
"The discipline issue involves everyone, not only teachers and school management but also parents and the community in raising awareness of the dangers of cigarettes and vape.
"The educational process to address such disciplinary issues has long been implemented by MOE, and we see positive developments because of the strong commitment from parents who do not want their children to be involved with cigarettes, vape, and drugs," he said.
On March 5, the Penang Consumers Association (CAP) reportedly revealed that about 15 female students in each school were found vaping, with three to four of them experiencing nicotine addiction.
CAP education officer, NV Subbarow was reported to have said that through the association's survey, the use of vape and electronic cigarettes currently is found to be very popular compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic period.
The number of users vaping and using electronic cigarettes was found to have increased threefold.