CLOSE to 45,000 school students nationwide were detected smoking using conventional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or vaping last year.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed that the figure involved 44,211 secondary school students, while another 230 primary school students were detected after participating in the Oral Health without Cigarette Smoke (Kotak) programme.
Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said 17,172 secondary school students were identified as using regular cigarettes, while another 19,782 used electronic cigarettes or vaping, with 36,870 people participated in smoking cessation interventions.
In addition, he said, 55 primary school students were identified as using regular cigarettes and another 138 used electronic cigarettes or vaping.
“MOH is committed to curbing smoking and vaping addiction among the younger generation through the implementation of integrated initiatives, including early prevention and focused smoking cessation interventions.
“Smoking cessation services, namely Quit Smoking Clinics (KBM), are also offered at 857 health clinics nationwide.
“This service is provided to help and facilitate smokers to quit smoking through behavioral modification therapy techniques, pharmacotherapy therapy or a combination of both within six months.
“A total of 38,467 smokers registered in the smoking cessation programme at KBM last year, in addition to 8,659 clients who had set a quit date and another 4,916 successfully quit smoking with a success rate of 56.8 percent,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof on the effectiveness of smoking cessation programmes among the younger generation, through a written answer from the Dewan Negara.
Dzulkefly said that KKM is also optimising the use of technology through the JomQuit platform which provides online smoking cessation consultations by certified health practitioners. - September 9, 2025
