Malaysia is facing an increasingly concerning pattern of nicotine consumption among adolescents.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022 reported that current e-cigarette use among adolescents aged 13 to 17 increased from 9.8 per cent in 2017 to 14.9 per cent in 2022. Sabah was among the states with particularly high prevalence of adolescent e-cigarette use.
These figures represent more than statistical changes. They reflect young people who may be exposed to addiction during a critical period of physical, neurological, and psychological development.
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to nicotine dependence, and exposure during brain development can adversely affect attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
