TAWAU: State Youth, Sports Development and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said parents and teachers must work with police to combat the growing threat of vaping among students.
He said this is particularly the use of e-cigarettes laced with psychoactive substances such as hallucinogenic mushroom-flavoured liquids.
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“The problem could be curbed early if schools, families and law enforcement, including school administrators, fostered a strong mutual understanding to protect students’ futures.
“I believe this (student vaping) does not happen inside schools but sometimes occurs outside. We hope schools and police can conduct joint monitoring to ensure such behaviour does not occur, including within school compounds,” he told reporters after officiating the District-Level School Liaison Officer (PPS) Appointment Ceremony for Tawau and Kalabakan at SJK(C) Yuk Chin here, recently.
A total of 184 police officers and personnel were appointed as PPS and deployed across 82 primary and secondary schools in Tawau and Kalabakan, with two officers assigned to each school effective this year.
The Apas Assemblyman called on the government and relevant ministries to take stronger action to stamp out student vaping before it spreads further at the grassroots level.
“We welcome the PPS appointment programme as a sound approach to building rapport among stakeholders and fostering a shared understanding in addressing social ills, including bullying, gangsterism and vaping,” said Nizam.
He also commended the Tawau District Education Office, particularly District Education Officer Matnoor Sima and the Tawau District Police Headquarters under District Police Chief ACP Jasmin Hussin, for their cooperation in handling student welfare matters involving safety, crime and social problems.
“We believe this kind of collaboration through PPS placements is highly effective in ensuring the futures of our children in school are not derailed by things they should not be involved in,” he said.
Nizam also urged students to appreciate the sacrifices made by police officers, especially PPS personnel, who set aside time for them despite their heavy responsibilities in maintaining national peace and security.
Meanwhile, Jasmin confirmed that previous cooperation between police and schools had already borne fruit, resulting in the arrest of a vape liquid seller who was distributing products containing illegal substances, including to students, in the district.
“This seller has been charged under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act,” he said, adding that close cooperation with school administrators would continue to be strengthened.
Jasmin said police are also actively conducting integrated operations with other authorities, including the Health Department and Tawau Municipal Council, at identified premises across the district.
“Our priority in these operations is focused on checking business licences and detecting whether drugs have been mixed into flavourings or vape liquids sold at these premises. We will take action against sellers or distributors of vape products found to be selling drug-laced flavourings based on existing legal provisions, including within the jurisdiction of other relevant authorities,” he said.
According to the National Security Council, vaping, particularly involving psychoactive substances such as hallucinogenic mushrooms, poses serious risks to students’ mental and physical health as well as academic performance.
The use of such substances also raises concerns over addiction, brain damage and broader health complications, with effects including hallucinations and mental disorders that can severely impact students’ social lives and long-term futures.
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