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Sunday, May 18, 2025

Vaping their way to drugs, dangerous

 

Pocket size: Widely available, small, colourful vape devices are also easy to conceal. — File photo

A DECADE ago, when e-cigarettes, or vapes, landed on our shores, tobacco cessation experts cautioned that the devices could be a gateway to smoking, and a threat to Malaysia’s goal of becoming a smoke-free nation.

Today, the fear is that vapes are luring teens to drugs, creating a generation addicted to substances even more dangerous than nicotine, Monash University Malaysia associate professor and KPJ Puteri Hospital consultant Dr Anne Yee told StarEdu.

Dr Yee, who is also a Universiti Malaya Centre of Addiction Sciences (UMCAS) adjunct professor and Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia (AMAM) honorary secretary, said unregulated vape liquids are increasingly being mixed with unknown substances, making them more dangerous and addictive.

Vaping nicotine, Dr Yee noted, increases the likelihood of trying other addictive substances, including cannabis and illicit drugs.

Early exposure to nicotine primes the brain for further drug experimentation​, she said.

“Many vape products contain high levels of nicotine, increasing the risk of long-term addiction.

“The earlier a person starts using nicotine, the greater the risk of developing substance use disorders later in life,” she said, adding that vapes have been found to contain illicit substances such as THC, synthetic cannabinoids, or opioids (see infographic), which increase the risk of addiction, toxic chemical exposure, and the risk of respiratory and neurological damage.

“Youths may unknowingly inhale these dangerous substances as unregulated vape products are widely available online – especially social media,” she said.

Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) Karangan director Zuraidah Ayob said most of the teens at the facility get stuck on drugs through vaping.

“It’s very worrying because the numbers are increasing.

“During one visit to a school in Kuala Lumpur, I asked the 200 students gathered how many of them vaped. A quarter raised their hands. Those were the ones who admitted but imagine how many others who were afraid to raise their hands?” she said, adding that when vape was introduced, it was promoted as a healthier alternative to smoking but the vapour is not safe.

Most vapes contain nicotine levels that are higher than cigarettes, she said.

“Teens are getting hooked without even realising it because they see it as a trend rather than a high risk habit.

“Vape is a gateway to drugs and if not curtailed through education, enforcement and parental or community intervention, we will create a generation that is highly vulnerable to drug abuse,” she concluded.

Note: The Puspen Karangan school is in need of reading materials for its library, as well as volunteers to conduct tuition classes, skills training and motivational talks for its students. Companies interested in assisting as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes, or non-governmental organisations involved in education, may contact the school at zuraidah@aadk.gov.my or pengarah_karangan@aadk.gov.my

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‘Mushrooms’ in our midst

Determined to turn over a new leaf, these students will sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams this year at the country’s first Puspen school in Karangan, Kedah.

A typical day for these students starts at 9am and ends at 4.30pm. In between lessons at the school, which opened in December last year, co-curricular activities like computer classes are conducted, with students given a two-and-a-half-hour break for lunch.

In an exclusive interview with StarEdu, these students share how curiosity and friends led them to “magic mushrooms”.

Vaping, they say, should be banned because illegal substances are so easily available.

I was introduced to ‘mushrooms’ three years ago by a friend. Before I knew it, I was spending more than RM20 daily to feed my addiction. I got the liquid from a dealer and added it to my vape. The high would hit within five to 10 seconds, and I’d start to feel calm. Soon, I began feeling scared because the drug caused me to overthink. It slowed down my brain, and I was always forgetting stuff. I really regret trying it – if not for my curiosity, I wouln’t be here today. I hope vaping will be banned because many are abusing it. I want to continue my studies if I pass the SPM.

– Salman, 17, Selangor

CLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGEI used to take pil kuda (yaba pill) to give me energy when I worked in the paddy fields. I could not sleep at night so I turned to vaping ‘mushrooms’. I started when I was 13. My friend told me it would help with my insomnia and soon I was hooked. It’s only RM1 per drop and it is very easy to buy. Usually I would buy 10 drops and when I had some money, I would get a bottle for RM150, which could last me a week. It didn’t affect my studies because I was already skipping school anyway, but because I had been playing truant, my school called AADK. I was picked up and my urine test came back positive. It would be good to ban vaping because it is so easy to consume drugs with the device. No one will know. There is no smell at all. Please do not try it because when you are experiencing withdrawal, you really lose all control. I don’t crave it anymore, though sometimes I still have trouble sleeping.

– Kamal, 16, Terengganu

I am here because of ‘mushrooms’ introduced by friends. I was spending about RM700 and above per month on vaping. I come from a well-to-do family. My pocket money was RM40 daily. Sometimes I got more if I helped my mum, so I could save up to RM70 per day. If I had extra, I’d buy a bottle of mushroom liquid, which cost between RM90 and RM150. It’s widely available on social media. The first time I tried it, I thought, “Best le”. I felt happy – always laughing. I tried it for fun and was hooked for three years. I started with a little bit – over time, I felt I couldn’t do without it, so I was vaping 24 hours a day. I needed it as soon as I woke up. It interrupted my studies. I felt ‘heavy’ and couldn’t do anything. Many of my friends used it but I usually vaped alone or with my twin brother. He stopped a little bit earlier than me. I ‘kantoi’ last year during Raya. My mum woke me up on the morning of Raya and asked me to take a bath but I couldn’t wake up. She was angry and started scolding me. My brother came in and saw my vape. He knew what had happened. He asked me if it was ‘mushroom’ but I denied it. He didn’t believe me and tried it. He ended up losing consciousness. He woke up six hours later and couldn’t remember a thing. He told my mum. My mum gave me many chances until finally, the school found out and contacted AADK. Now, I am determined to do my best because in Puspen, the education is good – especially the aspects of religion and discipline. After SPM, I want to be a pilot but I wear specs so that may not be possible. If I can’t achieve what I want, I will continue my mum’s business as taukeh canteen. My first time trying drugs was through vape. It is so cheap and easy to buy. It should be banned. Please don’t be like me. You will ‘gian’ after the first try and it will be hard to stop.

– Adam, 17, Pahang

I don’t even drink alcohol but I started vaping in Form One and was introduced to meth and weed vape liquids. My friend said I would feel high so I wanted to try – 1ml was only RM30. One bottle was RM150. We would pool our money and share one bottle. Usually when I was high, my eyes would turn red but if I took too much, I got sleepy. For the longest time, no one knew. Every 30 minutes I would need to vape. The first time I tried, I felt nothing. And then I got addicted. I’d just spend my days sleeping. For three years, my mum tried to advise me but I couldn’t stop. This year is my SPM year, so she wants me to sit for the exams at Puspen. I am not angry with my mum for sending me here but I am sad. I know it’s for my own good. Now, I feel prepared for my SPM. Every two weeks, my parents will visit. If I could do things all over again, I would never touch this. No more drugs. I didn’t take drugs because of family problems. It was because of friends. I am an only child. My mother cried so many times. I felt so sad because I kept repeating my mistake. Even one drop can change your future. Just don’t try. The negative things that come with one try is not worth it. I want to be a policeman but I am scared that after this, I won’t get a chance. If I cannot join the force, I want to study to be a vet.

– Raghu, 17, Penang

I was always lazy to go to school – ‘kuat ponteng’ since Form Two. I had some issues at home. I got hooked on drugs at 17. It all started with normal vape until my friend introduced me to liquids with drugs. ‘Gian I kuat’ and I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t sleep because there was a lot on my mind. So I would vape before going to sleep. I was working part-time at a food stall. When I vaped, I couldn’t work. I felt lazy. Eventually, my boss found out. I ‘kantoi’ with mum. I was always sleeping and she suspected something was amiss. I used to also pace a lot and could not sit still. I was always dizzy. When my mum asked what’s wrong, I did not tell her. I tried to stop but I kept going back. I used ‘mushroom’ and would spend about RM10 to RM20 a day. I bought it from a friend. I really want to change. I want to get a good job and make my mum happy. When she sent me here, my mum told me to take care of myself and study properly. After my SPM, I want to take up vocational skills – to be an electrician. I am now focused on memorising my lessons for the SPM. School is good so far. I hope youths like me will be more selective when making friends. Avoid people who introduce you to bad things. Stay far, far away because once you start, it’s hard to stop.

– Amin, 19, Kedah

I’m the third of five siblings. When I was in Year One, my parents divorced. I could not accept that my father had remarried. My mum suffered from mental illness. I was Form One when I started vaping ‘mushrooms’. Before that, I was smoking cannabis for five years. Two years ago, my friend let me try ‘mushrooms’ with vape. Then I started using pil kuda together with the mushroom liquid. I had registered to sit for the SPM then but because I was high and hallucinating from ‘mushrooms’, I got into an accident and dropped out of school. I am excited to sit for my SPM this year because I have never been out of my home state. I entered Puspen unprepared but I have tried by best to face it. From my heart, I want to tell students like me – if you have girlfriend problems or whatever, don’t turn to drugs. You don’t need this in your life. I turned to drugs because I was disappointed with my girlfriend and family. When I was high, my family became like my enemy – I was aggressive with my parents. I just wanted money from them. I didn’t realise what I was doing. I would snatch money from my mum when she did not want to give it willingly. I couldn’t control my emotions and now I am here. My family finally put me here because they knew I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. I have been here for 11 months. My body is full of toxins now - pumped with drugs. I am learning to accept that I am an addict. I cannot go home because if I do, I will definitely go back to my friends. After SPM, the first thing I want to do is hug my mum and apologise to her because I spent this Raya without my family. I want to say thank you to my mum for everything and I want to make her proud of me. Even though society will always see the word ‘penagih’ stamped on my forehead, I will always try to make my mother proud – with everything that I have. I understand now my mum is sick, so as a son, I must try to move forward - away from the past hurt, and make her proud.

– Shukri, 19, Terengganu

*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the students.

 

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15 hours ago — Today, the fear is that vapes are luring teens to drugs, creating a generation addicted to substances way more dangerous than nicotine.
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Saturday, May 17, 2025

Check if medicines are real

The hologram sticker has been mandatory in Malaysia since 2005. – Malay Mail photo

To check if medicines are real, verify their registration status and authenticityRegistered medicines should have a registration number and a genuine hologram sticker. You can verify the registration status on the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) website www.npra.gov.my or by contacting the NPRA. You can also use the Meditag hologram decoder at a nearby pharmacy to check the hologram's authenticity. Additionally, look for signs of tampering on the packaging. Additionally, you can use the NPRA Product Status app on the Google Play Store. 

 PETALING JAYA: School teacher S. Anandi bought a supplement from an online platform because it was RM20 cheaper than the retail price at a pharmacy.

The supplement turned out to be counterfeit although it looked identical to the original product.

She said the supplement bought online even came with a fake hologram.

She used an app called FarmaChecker which can scan product holograms on health-related products.

The FarmaTag hologram on genuine supplements is a stamp from the Health Ministry as proof that a product has been registered and approved by the local health authorities.

The app Anandi used could not read the hologram sticker on the supplement.

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This means the hologram is fake and not approved by the Health Ministry.

“I bought the supplement because it was cheaper online. But upon scanning it, I discovered that the product was fake,” she said.

The online health supplement market is flooded with counterfeit products.

Sellers even create replicas of the hologram, said industry sources.

Despite the Health Ministry having moved from the Meditag to the FarmaTag hologram which has better security features, the sale of counterfeit and illicit pharmaceutical products is showing no sign of slowing down.

“Holograms can be duplicated and we have seen them over the years, even from the Meditag days. Some illegal health product sellers even use a replica of the old Meditag hologram.

“Recently, there is a trend where sellers would mix their own supplement powders and pills. Some of these powders are filled with sugar and that is worrying.

“To the Health Ministry’s credit, it has been carrying out crackdowns on many unregistered and illicit products over the years,” said a source, adding that the illegal trade is still flourishing.

“Many consumers are unaware of an app to check whether the health supplements are genuine or not.

“In fact, some people don’t even bother to check whether the product they have purchased is authentic. They get swayed by claims that it works.

“More awareness and education campaigns should be carried out on the use of holograms and National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) registration numbers.

“Maybe the authorities should think of a new authentication method such as QR code,” the source said.

Consumers can download the NPRA Product Status app to check the status of Pharmaceutical Product Registration and Cosmetic Notification Status.

The Health Ministry used the Meditag hologram supplied by Syarikat Mediharta Sdn Bhd from 2005 until Aug 31, 2019.

The hologram was supplied to manufacturers and importers licensed by the ministry to ensure there was no abuse.

It was later replaced with FarmaTag produced by Syarikat Techno Secure Print Sdn Bhd.

Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild honorary secretary Rachel Gan advised the public to use the FarmaChecker app to check the authenticity of a product if they feel suspicious about it.

“Always buy from legitimate sellers like pharmacies or clinics, instead of unknown sellers on e-commerce platforms,” she added.

Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association president Datuk Dr M. Rajen said there are concerns over the authenticity, safety, shelf life and possible side effects of the supplements sold on online platforms.

“As an industry, we welcome the use of holograms. But there have been concerns on their viability to prevent abuse. Often, while the companies are paying for the holograms, some consumers are unaware about the benefits of the holograms,” he added.

He called for a ban on the sale of health supplements online as what is done for certain medicines.

“You cannot buy your pharmaceuticals online but you can buy your supplements online,” he said, adding that this is a regulation loophole that needs to be looked into.

General practitioner Dr Roland Victor said fake medications or supplements often contain ineffective ingredients that pose a danger to health or unsuitable for local consumption.

“We have seen cases of certain coffee powders being promoted as a natural supplement for men’s health but were found to contain controlled substances like sildenafil, the active ingredient in erectile dysfunction drugs,” he said.

“Sellers of counterfeit supplements may exploit the image of genuine doctors in their advertisements and claim that they are endorsing their products.”- The Star By CHARLES RAMENDRANRAGANANTHINI VETHASALAM


 He added that some supplements may have harmful ingredients or side effects if taken for the long term, especially when bought without seeking ...

Too good to be true? How to check if the health products you get online are genuine



The hologram sticker has been mandatory in Malaysia since 2005. – Malay Mail photo

KUALA LUMPUR (June 18): With the increasing demand for health supplements, consumers face ever greater risks of unscrupulous vendors using e-commerce to pass off counterfeits as heavily discounted products.

Also riding on the interest in health and wellbeing in the post-Covid 19 era are sellers marketing products catering to this demand, but without the necessary consumer safety and quality controls.

By law, all pharmaceutical products sold in Malaysia, including health supplements and traditional products, must be registered with the Drug Control Authority (DCA) — an executive body established under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 — before being marketed locally.

But how does one determine which are genuine and which are the fake?

Fret not, Malay Mail has prepared this guideline courtesy of the Health Ministry via the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) to help consumers identify a product’s legitimacy.

Verify at first sight

Firstly, registered pharmaceutical and natural products as well as health supplements must bear a security label (hologram) that is visible without having to open the packaging.

First introduced (then known as Meditag) in 2005, these holograms — called FarmaTag as of September 2019 — assist consumers in identifying registered health products visually.

The hologram sticker has been mandatory in Malaysia since 2005. – Malay Mail photo

Security labelling is mandatory as provided under Regulation 8(1) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, with the hologram production overseen by a single ministry-appointed supplier.

According to the NPRA’s existing guideline, only licensed manufacturers and importers of pharmaceutical, traditional medicine and health supplement products may purchase these labels; while local manufacturer, repacker for products imported in bulk or the importer shall be responsible for affixing the hologram onto the individual unit packs.

This means if a product does not have the hologram, it is likely unregistered, has not passed inspection, or a counterfeit.

Measuring just 8mm by 18mm, the FarmaTag has various security features that can be seen by both consumers and pharmaceutical enforcers to determine the legitimacy of products registered with the Health Ministry.

The hologram contains a QR code and serial number that can be used to verify its authenticity. – Malay Mail photo

Examples of the security feature includes a holographic image depicting two acronyms — PBKD and DCA, which stand for Pihak Berkuasa Kawalan Dadah (the Malay name for the DCA) — a ministry-issued QR Code, a gradient design, and serial and identification numbers.

Consumers can also verify the authenticity of the FarmaTag by using the FarmaChecker mobile application to scan the QR code or type in its serial number.

They can also check the product’s registration number at the NPRA’s official website.

Apart from the hologram, DCA-registered products have another security feature in the form of the registration number printed on its label or package. This starts with MAL followed by eight numbers and ending with the letter T, A, X or N (for example, MAL12345678X).

The letter after the eight numbers denotes the product’s category: controlled medicine or prescription drugs (A), over-the-counter or non-prescription drug (X), traditional medicine (T), or health supplements (N).

The final letter in the registration number identifies that category of the health product. – Malay Mail photo

To ensure compliance, those found selling or supplying any unregistered health products (including failure to implement the hologram) will be in violation of Regulation 7(1)(a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

Upon conviction, individuals face a fine of up to RM25,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both for their first offence; and a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to five years or both for subsequent offences.

Corporate bodies will face a fine of up to RM50,000 for their first offence and RM100,000 for their subsequent offences.

It pays to be vigilant

The NPRA released in October 2023 an advisory on the risk and dangers consumers face when purchasing health products and supplements online, as the safety, quality and efficacy of such products are unknown.

Such risks are even higher with counterfeit products, which may include contamination with heavy metal elements (mercury, arsenic) and undeclared dosing with controlled substances (sildenafil, sibutramine) that can be life-threatening if consumed without proper medical supervision.

Sildenafil is used to treat men who have erectile dysfunction while sibutramine is a compound widely used in weight loss products.

In reminding consumers to be vigilant and take appropriate measures in purchasing medicine online, NPRA said this was to avoid falling victim to irresponsible and unscrupulous sellers.

For any information or complaints relating to the sale and supply of counterfeit medicines, consumers are advised to do so at the Health Ministry’s Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) website here or any Pharmacy Enforcement state branches nationwide. – Malay Mail

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Friday, May 16, 2025

China blasts new US rule banning use of Huawei's Ascend advanced computer chips

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Policy shift in U.S. AI chip exports: Catalyst for China's homegrown innovation


China has blasted a new U.S. rule against use of Ascend computer chips made by Huawei Technologies anywhere in the world, chafing Thursday against the limitations of a temporary truce in the trade war between the two biggest economies.

Beijing moved ahead, however, with fulfilling its promise to lift retaliatory measures it imposed after U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his trade war, raising tariffs on Chinese products to as high as 145%. One key action was to remove a ban on exports to the United States of minerals known as rare earths that are used in many high-tech products.

Despite the deal struck last weekend in Geneva, frictions remain.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security issued guidance saying that Huawei's Ascend semiconductors are subject to U.S. export controls, on the basis that they are thought to employ U.S. technology.

“These chips were likely developed or produced in violation of U.S. export controls,” it said in a statement on its website, adding that “the use of such PRC advanced computing ICs risks violating U.S. export controls and may subject companies to BIS enforcement action.”

China's Commerce Ministry responded that the move was "not conducive to long-term, mutually beneficial, and sustainable cooperation and development between the two countries. The Chinese side urges the U.S. side to immediately correct its erroneous practices,” said ministry spokesperson He Yongqian.

Huawei's Ascend chip is central to China's effort to build its own capacity to build leading edge computer chips and other technologies. Analysts say use of the chip in China's DeepSeek artificial intelligence effort reflects a potential challenge for Nvidia in the global AI market.

He also lashed out against U.S. tariffs on imports of Chinese steel and aluminum, which have not gotten a reprieve after Beijing and Washington agreed to their pause in many tariff increases.

She said the U.S. should give up its use of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives the president power to impose tariffs on other countries on national security grounds.

In February, Trump drew on that authority to restore 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum that he had imposed during his first term in office.

Speaking at a weekly ministry briefing, He urged the US to end the higher tariffs “as soon as possible."

The 30% levy that America is now imposing on Chinese goods includes an existing 20% tariff intended to pressure China into doing more to prevent the the synthetic opioid fentanyl from entering the United States. It also includes the same 10% “baseline’’ tariff Trump has slapped on imports from most of the world’s countries. The 30% tax comes on top of other levies on China, including some left over from Trump’s first term and kept by former President Joe Biden.

China is imposing a 10% tariff on U.S. products during the 90-day negotiating period.

 AP by ELAINE KURTENBACH

China absolutely won’t accept suppression, vows to safeguard Chinese firms’ right, FM on US curbs on Huawei AI chips

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian


In response to a recent announcement by the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which claimed that using Huawei's Ascend chips anywhere in the world violates US export controls and it warned the public about the potential consequences of allowing US artificial intelligence chips to be used to train Chinese AI models, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that the US overstretches the concept of national security, abuses export control measures and long-arm jurisdiction and imposes malicious restrictions and crackdown on Chinese chip products and AI industry based on unfounded accusations.

The US move seriously undermines market rules, disrupts the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, and gravely undermines the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, Lin said. 

China strongly opposes and absolutely won't accept such actions and we urge the US to immediately correct its wrongful practice, stop the reckless suppression of Chinese tech companies and the AI industry, Lin said. China will take resolute measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, Lin said. - By Global Times

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