Category: Health EN

GEORGE TOWN: An intense “high”, glassy eyes and a loss of awareness of surroundings may follow with just a few puffs of drug-laced vape pods, which can now be found at entertainment outlets and even in some schools. Authorities are raising concerns over fentanyl being detec¬ted in vape products, commonly referred to as “zombie drugs” or “piao piao” (meaning floating or drifting in...

The tobacco industry has survived despite more than seven decades of tobacco control efforts because of its aggressive marketing and product innovation. Central to the industry's business model is a statement contained in a 1963 Brown & Williamson internal document: "Nicotine is addictive. We are, then, in the business of selling nicotine, an addictive drug." Nevertheless, during the 1994...

A coalition of campaigning groups represented by the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), the Asian Ban Asbestos Network (ABAN), the Asian Citizens’ Center for Environmental Health(Eco-Health), the Indonesian Ban Asbestos Network (INA-BAN), the Local Initiative for OSH Network – Indonesia (LION), the Consumers’ Association of Penang, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, and Ban Asbestos...

Walking is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to stay fit, but taking a few steps in reverse could unlock even greater benefits. This seemingly unconventional movement, known as retro walking, is gaining attention for improving balance, strengthening underused muscles, and even sharpening cognitive function. The practice isn’t new – records suggest that backward walking has been...

New research shows that children who miss out on outdoor play are at a 90% higher risk of experiencing reading delays by age 7. Experts say that simply keeping kids indoors for safety or convenience can unintentionally hinder early brain development, particularly the skills needed to focus and process language. Outdoor play offers a rich environment for learning. Moving, exploring, and...

William Osler, often referred to as the Father of Modern Medicine, once said that the primary duty of physicians is to educate patients not to take medicine unless necessary. Osler believed in the importance of educating patients on prevention rather than simply treating symptoms. His famous quote, "One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine", serves...

The Government must urgently reinstate nicotine under the Poisons Act 1952 following a High Court ruling which struck down the 2023 decision to remove liquid and gel nicotine from the Poisons List, says CAP. "The High Court decision is a victory for public health," says CAP anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow. "The delisting of nicotine was very shameless and it goes against the health of young...

The High Court has ruled that the Government acted irrationally and without proper consultation when it removed nicotine vape liquids and gels from the Poisons List in 2023, dealing a setback to efforts that would have paved the way for taxing vape products. Judge Datuk Aliza Sulaiman allowed a judicial review application filed by civil society groups — Voice of Children (VoC), the Malaysian...

On 9 May 2026, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) organised an awareness raising programme on asbestos at SJKT Gandhi Kalasalai, Sungai Siput, Perak. A total of 39 participants attended the programme, consisting of 15 males and 24 females. Five youths also joined the programme, which added more value and made the awareness session more impactful. The main objective of the programme was...

Asbestos is a very toxic and harmful mineral. All forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic to humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) eliminating asbestos use is the most effective way to prevent asbestos-related diseases. More than 70 countries have fully banned all types of asbestos due to the devastating health...