Did you know that there is a disease definition for those who face heart health issues as a result of vaping? It is called EVALI and it is a very expensive disease to treat.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today answered a question in the Dewan Rakyat regarding the treatment for Evali patients, and said that for each patient who faces the disease and needs to be hospitalized for 12 days, as much as RM150,892.11 is spent to rehabilitate them.
From 2019 until 30 September 2024, a total of 41 cases of Evali disease involving the use of vaping or electronic cigarettes have been confirmed so far, and if not curbed, said that the cost of recovery will increase to RM368 million a year by 2030.
Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health which was introduced on 1 October last which also includes electronic cigarette products is expected to help in reducing the symptoms of smoking.
This follows his previous words that Malaysia's Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in 2023 showed a significant increase in the percentage of electronic cigarette users, especially among adults under 50 years of age.