SOCIAL media influencers should use their platforms to educate the public, especially school students, about the dangers of vaping, rather than becoming ambassadors for its promotion.
Chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said currently many influencers are ambassadors who promote vaping, leading to teenagers following suit.
"To avoid this, we need to invite social media influencers to use their platforms not to promote vaping, but to inform about its dangers among school students.
"In addition, the most practical step in combating vaping begins with direct reprimands from adults to young people," he said in a statement.
He said that apart from parents also needing to be strict towards children who are dabbling with vaping, the community can also play a role by giving direct reprimands if they see children vaping.
"With direct reprimands, children will have the perception that vaping is something that is hated by society, thus making the trend hated and shunned," he added
He added that efforts to combat vaping among school students should also begin with a ban on the sale of vapes to individuals aged 18 and below.
He added that all parties must work together to play a role in ensuring that the younger generation is not enslaved by vaping, which is not only useless, but can also damage the future.
"Although various measures can be taken to curb the issue, it will not be successful if society remains complacent.
"Some of the adverse effects of vaping have been felt by our students, including unconsciousness, nicotine addiction and internal organ damage," he added.
Therefore, Lam Thye suggested that awareness campaigns, strict action in schools, involvement of parents and social media influencers in combating vape use be intensified.
He also advised the community to set a good example since children are still too young to make judgments about the good and bad things in their lives. – June 2, 2025
