Malaysia’s healthcare system faces US$82 million vaping bill

The government’s decision to legalise nicotine-laced vape products has worsened the healthcare crisis, despite efforts to limit access

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People smoking electronic cigarettes during the Vape Fair in Kuala Lumpur in December 2015. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:20pm, 14 Nov 2024Updated: 3:51pm, 14 Nov 2024

The cost of treating lung damage in patients hospitalised due to excessive vaping can reach tens of thousands of dollars, Malaysia’s health minister said on Thursday, warning taxpayer expenses for e-cigarette illnesses could surpass US$80 million annually in the coming years.

The government has moved to limit access to vapes and e-cigarettes which are surging in popularity, especially among the young, yet has been criticised for abandoning a bold plan to put all smoking-related products beyond the reach of 16 year-olds, effectively phasing out the habit.

Malaysia’s healthcare system could incur annual costs of up to US$82 million by 2030 to treat lung injuries linked to e-cigarette and vaping use, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad warned in parliament, cautioning that this rising expense will further strain public health resources.

Since 2019, the Ministry of Health has recorded 41 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (Evali). Each hospitalised patient requiring up to 150,000 ringgit (US$33,482) for a 12-day stay.

If no control measures are taken against the use of electronic cigarettes or vapes, this treatment cost is projected to rise to US$82 million annually by 2030.

“In addition to Evali, the National Poison Centre recorded 111 incidents related to exposure to e-cigarettes or vape liquids from 2015 to 2023,” Dzulkefly said in response to a parliamentary question.