World No Tobacco Day 2026: Vape Is Not a Safe Alternative

Every year on 31st May, the world observes World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine-related products. Although more people are becoming aware of the harmful effects of smoking, cigarettes and vaping products continue to pose a major public health challenge, especially among young people.

In Malaysia, the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019 reported that about 21.3% of Malaysian adults were smokers (1). More recent data in 2023 showed a reduction to around 19% (2). While this decline is encouraging, many individuals are now turning to electronic cigarettes or vape products, which are often perceived as a “safer” option. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad recently warned that nicotine addiction is now being repackaged as a trendy lifestyle to attract young people. He highlighted that the danger of modern tobacco and nicotine products lies not only in their chemical content, but also in how they are designed, flavoured, and marketed to appear harmless and socially acceptable.

This concern is supported by national data. Although traditional cigarette smoking among Malaysian teenagers aged 13 to 17 has declined to 6.2%, vaping among teens has increased significantly, with nearly 15% reported to be using e-cigarettes (3). This trend is worrying because early nicotine exposure can lead to long-term addiction and negatively affect brain development among adolescents.

Many people claim that they smoke because of daily stress. Some feel that smoking helps them relax after a long day at work or school. However, the feeling of relief is only temporary. Eventually, the body becomes dependent on nicotine to feel calm, making it even harder to quit. What is even more concerning is how easily vape products can be obtained, including by school students. Although Malaysia has enforced the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) to regulate tobacco and vape products, some irresponsible parties continue to ignore restrictions on underage sales.

Smoking and vaping do not only affect users themselves. Cigarette smoke and vape aerosols can also affect people nearby, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly. In homes, cars, or other enclosed spaces, these pollutants may remain in the air and reduce indoor air quality. From an environmental health perspective, tobacco smoke is actually a form of indoor air pollution that can have long-term effects on lung health and overall well-being. The Health Minister also reminded the public that lung diseases often develop silently, without obvious symptoms in the early stages. Many patients are only diagnosed after experiencing persistent cough, breathing difficulties, chest discomfort, or unexplained weight loss, when the disease may already be advanced.

In conjunction with World No Tobacco Day 2026, let us take small but meaningful steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Managing stress does not have to involve smoking. Activities such as exercise, spending time with loved ones, getting enough rest, and enjoying healthy hobbies are far better ways to care for mental and emotional well-being. For those trying to quit smoking or vaping, seeking help early is important. Support services, counselling, and smoking cessation programmes are available to help individuals break free from nicotine addiction. Health is not only about protecting ourselves, but also about protecting the people we love. The choices we make today will shape our future health and the well-being of the next generation.

References:

• Institute for Public Health. (2020). National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019: Vol. I: NCDs-Non-communicable diseases: Risk factors and other health problems. National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
• Lim, K. H., Cheong, Y. L., Lim, J. H., Ghazali, S. M., Cheong, K. C., Teh, C. H., Heng, P. P., Marine, A. A., Cheah, Y. K., Saidin, N. S., Hashim, M. H. M., & Lim, H. L. (2025). Smoking among Malaysian adults aged ≥15 years: A secondary dataset analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey-Malaysia 2023 (GATS-M 2023). Tobacco Induced Diseases, 23, Article 10.18332/tid/211250. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/211250
• (2023, May 25). NHMS survey: Among Malaysian teens, smoking rate falls but vaping prevalence rises to 15%. CodeBlue. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2023/05/nhms-survey-among-malaysian-teens-smoking-rate-falls-but-vaping-prevalence-rises-to-15pc/

Dr. Nur Faseeha Suhaimi
Senior Lecturer
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date of Input: 31/05/2026 | Updated: 31/05/2026 | nadia_rahman