THE Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has raised urgent concerns about the growing presence of vape- and syringe-shaped sweets in the Malaysian market, warning that these products could normalize smoking behaviours among children and pose serious health risks.
CAP’s education officer N.V. Subbarow described the trend as increasingly alarming.
He pointed out that the sweets, designed to resemble real vape devices and syringes, are particularly enticing to young children due to their colorful and attention-grabbing designs.
“The designs of these sweets could encourage children to mimic smoking habits as they grow up. Even more concerning is the presence of syringe-shaped sweets, which bear a resemblance to drug-related paraphernalia,” Subbarow said in a statement today.
Subbarow said these are not ordinary candies but could serve as a gateway to smoking addiction.
“These are not just ordinary sweets; they could serve as a gateway to vape and cigarette addiction. Parents may unknowingly purchase them to pacify their children, unaware of the potential risks involved,” he added.
He highlighted that the widespread availability of these products could foster unhealthy habits in children as young as seven. He expressed concern that children might be influenced by the sight of vape and cigarette use in their surroundings, further normalizing smoking from an early age.
In light of these concerns, CAP is calling on authorities to take swift action to ban the sale of vape- and syringe-shaped sweets, holding distributors accountable for making these products available to children.
“We also call on the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to impose a ban on the sale of vape-shaped sweets and cigarettes to safeguard the health of future generations,” Subbarow urged.
CAP’s call for action aims to protect children from the potential dangers of early exposure to smoking and to ensure that such products are removed from the market. – March 8, 2025
