Parents and teachers play an important role in curbing smoking habits

MELAKA - Parents and teachers play an important role in curbing smoking habits whether it be cigarettes or vaping among the youth.

Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) President Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai urged parents and teachers to conduct regular spot checks at home and in schools.

"Recently, there was a 10-year-old student who was caught with four vape devices containing magic mushrooms. Things like this only the teachers and parents can help to curb and guide the students.

"The parents must be aware with whom their kids are mixing with, whether the friends of their kids are smoking or vaping," he said to Sinar Daily when met at The World No-Tobacco Day programme in Dewan Hang Tuah.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni who was also present at the event said a new Tobacco Bill will be tabled in Parliament next week to help in curbing smoking issues.

Dr Muruga also urged members of parliament to come together in solidarity and make sure the bill is passed.

"Only if the Bill is passed, we can regulate the vape industry.

"Today there is no regulation specifically for the vape industry, they sell to anybody even an eight-year-old boy can go and buy a vape device

"In this new tobacco control bill, we would be able to include e cigarrates as and vape devices as well so this is a must to be passed," he reasoned.