Kuala lumpur: Smoking, vaping, air pollution, exposure to workplace chemicals, and microbial infections have been identified as significant contributors to lung damage among Malaysians, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He emphasized that the lungs are particularly susceptible to various forms of attack, which in turn contribute to the rise of chronic diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), influenza, and COVID-19.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly highlighted the vulnerability of the lungs, stating that they are the most “violated” organs in the human body. He noted that beyond self-inflicted harm from smoking and vaping, occupational and environmental hazards also significantly contribute to lung damage. The Health Minister shared these insights during the launch of the Live, Laugh, Lungs campaign held in conjunction with World Lung Day.
Dr Dzulkefly pointed out that occupational exposure to substances such as asbestos, silica, and hazardous chemical compounds, including gasoline, poses a serious threat to lung health, particularly among industrial workers. He stressed that gasoline is a known carcinogen capable of causing cancer, and workers exposed to such chemicals need stringent protection and control measures.
The Health Minister further explained that the lungs are also susceptible to pathogenic microorganisms, leading to diseases such as TB, influenza, and COVID. He shared concerning statistics indicating that respiratory diseases continue to strain the country’s healthcare system, with 26,183 new TB cases recorded in 2024. Additionally, asthma impacts nearly half a million children aged 6 to 17, and over 1.4 million adults have been diagnosed with the same condition.
“Lung cancer remains among the top three cancers in Malaysia, while asthma and COPD significantly impact the community’s quality of life, including loss of productivity due to absenteeism from work or school,” Dr Dzulkefly stated.
He also reported progress in smoking cessation efforts, noting that by December last year, 4,916 registered smokers from 857 quit smoking clinics nationwide had successfully quit, representing 56.8 percent of the 8,659 individuals committed to quitting.
The Live, Laugh, Lungs campaign, organized by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), Kenvue Malaysia, and Watsons Malaysia, with support from the Ministry of Health (MOH), ran from September 3 to 7. The campaign featured lung health screenings using mobile clinics equipped with artificial intelligence (AI)-based chest X-ray technology, smoking cessation services, and family-friendly interactive educational activities. Additionally, influenza vaccinations were offered to the elderly.