Prevalence and Factors Associated With Attempts to Quit and Smoking Cessation in Malaysia

Although geographic information system–based studies are particularly increasing in other sectors, few have embraced their full potential in health services allocation in Malaysia. This study aimed to produce a visual map on the distribution of smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) in Malaysia and analyze its pattern against the national population of smokers. SCC addresses were obtained from the government website and mapped using geographic information system tools. A total of 199 and 449 private and public SCCs was mapped throughout the country, respectively. The lowest SCC to smoker population ratio was in the state of Negeri Sembilan with 1:3000. The highest SCC to smoker population ratio was in Sabah with 1 SCC for 15 000 smokers. Almost 70% of SCCs were primary health clinics. Smoking cessation clinics were distributed throughout all the states in Malaysia except the state of Sabah.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…12 Higher prevalence of smoking may lead to a higher risk of getting diseases—smoking cessation can lower these risks. 26,27…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping the Malaysian Smoking Cessation Clinics: A Geographic Information System–Based Study

Bohari

Sabri

Rasdi

et al. 2020

“…Quitting smoking may be difficult among former smokers due to the nicotine addiction. 38 A previous study showed that secondhand smoke exposure may interfere with quitting smoking. 39 Former smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, at school, and in public places might be hindered in their intention to quit smoking, which could account for the increase in mental health problems such as stress, sleep problems, and depression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations Between Secondhand Smoke and Mental Health in Korean Adolescents

Kim

2020

This study assessed secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers and examined its association with mental health in Korean adolescents. We used the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2018 to extract data and analyzed 60 040 adolescents through 3 secondhand smoke exposure categories: home, school, and public places. Mental health included stress, insufficient sleep, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Secondhand smoke exposure was reported at 23.0% for home, 20.0% for school, and 51.4% for public places. Secondhand smoke exposures were associated with stress insufficient sleep, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, in the stratified analysis, secondhand smoke exposure was related to poor mental health in both nonsmokers and smokers. Based on the results, we concluded that Korean adolescents may experience poor mental health symptoms from being exposed to secondhand smoke.

“…While smoking prevalence among women in Malaysia remains very low (1.5%), 46.4% of men currently smoke and there has been little change in smoking over the past 3 decades. 12 Access to a substitute nicotine product that can replace the behavioral and pharmacological effects of smoking could be useful for increasing quitting among smokers with high nicotine addiction and younger smokers, who currently have the lowest quit rates in Malaysia. 12 However, policies to discourage both smoking and vaping among adolescents are needed, as are product standards to reduce risks to those who vape.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12 Access to a substitute nicotine product that can replace the behavioral and pharmacological effects of smoking could be useful for increasing quitting among smokers with high nicotine addiction and younger smokers, who currently have the lowest quit rates in Malaysia. 12 However, policies to discourage both smoking and vaping among adolescents are needed, as are product standards to reduce risks to those who vape. Currently, there is no consensus in the public health field on what regulatory framework is optimal to achieve the goals of assisting smokers to quit while protecting youth from nicotine addiction.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Emergence of New Nicotine Products in Malaysia

Gartner

Yusoff

2019

Tobacco cigarettes still dominate the global nicotine market; however, a diverse range of nontherapeutic alternative nicotine and tobacco products are now sold in many countries. Among these new products, much attention has focused on electronic vaping products, sometimes called "e-cigarettes." These devices produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that the user inhales. Typically, the liquid contains propylene glycol, glycerol, or a mix of the two. Flavors and nicotine are also usually added, although some people vape nicotine-free liquid, while others vape nicotine liquid without added flavoring. Internationally, regulation of vaping products varies from little regulation to complete bans. In Malaysia, vaping products that do not contain nicotine are regulated as consumer products, while those that contain nicotine must be approved as a medicine before they can be sold. As no vaping products have been approved as medicines in Malaysia, only nicotine-free vaping products may currently be sold legally. Despite this restriction, it is estimated that over 600 000 adults in Malaysia vape, with 3.2% of adults reporting current use. 1 What role vaping products should have in tobacco control policy is a matter of robust debate in the tobacco control field. Toxicological studies of the harmful chemicals in vapor compared with cigarette smoke suggest that the cancer risk of cigarette smoking is around 250 times that of vaping. 2 Biomarker studies also show that smokers who switch to vaping have lower exposure to key carcinogens than smokers who continue smoking. 3-5 There is also evidence from clinical trials that they can assist smokers to quit. 6-8 Conversely, these products are not risk-free, as they still expose users to harmful chemicals, are addictive if they contain nicotine, and the pleasant flavors may be attractive to young people. As with all new technologies, we also do not have evidence on the risks of long-term use. Hence, balancing the potential risks and benefits is complex. Vaping has also been linked recently to an outbreak of a serious acute respiratory syndrome in the United States, with some cases diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia. 9 Over 530 cases and 8 deaths are being investigated by health authorities, 10 who are yet to identify an exact cause of the condition, although most cases have admitted to vaping illicit cannabis oil products. Many of the leftover samples tested that contained tetrahydrocannabinol also contained high levels of vitamin