The Ministry of Health (MOH) has revealed that nearly 45,000 school students nationwide were found using smoking products, including conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or vapes, last year.
The figure includes 44,211 secondary school students and 230 primary school pupils identified through the Tobacco-Free Oral Health Program (KOTAK) as having been exposed to smoking habits.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said 17,172 secondary school students were found using traditional cigarettes, while 19,782 were using e-cigarettes or vapes, with 36,870 having participated in smoking cessation interventions.
Meanwhile, 55 primary school pupils were found using conventional cigarettes and 138 using e-cigarettes or vapes, with 201 students having joined cessation programs.
“MOH is committed to curbing smoking and vaping among young people through integrated initiatives, which include early prevention and focused smoking cessation interventions,” he said.
The Quit Smoking Clinic (KBM) service is available at 857 health clinics nationwide, providing behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination over six months to help smokers quit. Last year, 38,467 smokers registered in KBM programs, 8,659 set quit dates, and 4,916 successfully quit, achieving a 56.8% success rate.
Dr. Dzulkefly highlighted the use of technology through the JomQuit platform, which offers online smoking cessation consultations by certified health practitioners. From October 2024 to August 2025, 1,968 clients received consultations through the platform.
“All these initiatives demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted programs designed to help young people break free from smoking and vaping, in line with MOH’s goal of creating a smoke-free generation,” he added.
