Press Digest: Danger of vapers using drugs

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Ashok Philips said the potential danger of vaping devices is that users can add drugs like heroin and ganja into the fluid that is vaporised and they can openly take drugs, undetected.
He explained that e-cigarette manufacturers may not have put banned substances in the chemicals used for vaping but vapers or drug addicts can DIY e-liquids to suit their intentions, China Press reported yesterday.
He said both cigarettes and e-cigarettes are harmful, but when drugs are added to the liquid that is vaporised, e-cigarettes become more harmful than cigarettes.
On whether the consequences of smoking and vaping are the same, he said it is yet to be determined as there is not much research done to compare their long-term effects.
Speaking to the daily on the government's move to regulate e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine under the Poisons Act, Ashok said the amount of nicotine and other chemical contents in cigarettes are fixed and determined by tobacco companies but the contents in e-liquids are not regulated and can be changed by vapers themselves.
Furthermore, youngsters can have easy access to e-cigarettes, he said, making it more compelling for the government to regulate vaping devices and products.
He said any product that contains nicotine should be regulated under Poisons Act 1952 as it is a very potent substance.
Ashok said the Health Ministry has yet to contact the association on matters pertaining to the control of e-cigarettes.
"As far as I know, the Health Ministry has contacted several professional bodies but has yet to meet MMA for discussion.
"However, we have already stated our stand to support the regulation of e-cigarettes and e-liquids."