Penang mulling ban on sales of vape, e-cigarette products
GEORGE TOWN: Penang may ban the sales of vape and e-cigarette products if current enforcement efforts prove ineffective.
Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi the state is monitoring the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which includes a mechanism to regulate sales of vape and e-cigarette products.
The Act was introduced in Oct 1, 2024.
"Let the regulatory mechanism for e-cigarettes and vape products, introduced under the Act, be fully implemented first.
'We are now in the product registration phase for these items. Full enforcement of the Act is scheduled to begin on Oct 1, 2025.
'We will only consider a state-wide ban on vape and e-cigarette sales if the impact of the enforcement is not good enough.
"This is to ensure the health and well-being of Penangites, especially our youth," he said during his winding-up speech at the state assembly session on Monday (May 19).
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 imposes strict regulations on the use, sale and display of smoking products in Malaysia.
The law designates various places such as entertainment centres, hospitals, clinics, public toilets and air-conditioned shops as no-smoking zones.
It prohibits the sale of all vape and tobacco products within 40m of any school or university and also bans online or vending machine sales.
He said there are around 200 vape shops operating in the state.
'We also have regulatory authority under the Local Government Act to oversee the sale of disposable vape pods in convenience stores,' he said.
Gooi said the state government would review the enforcement mechanism and develop a targeted strategy to curb vape use at state level.
'This issue must be addressed strategically to prevent unintended consequences, such as illegal sales and smuggling,' he added.
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