Govt mulls nationwide vape ban
THE government is considering implementing a nationwide ban on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes or vape products.
This move is part of a broader public health agenda aimed at protecting the youth from the harmful effects of nicotine and vaping-related products.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proposal is still under careful consideration, with the government evaluating various legal, enforcement and public health implications before reaching a final decision.
'We are conducting a comprehensive review to assess the effectiveness of current control measures and the need for more holistic policies to safeguard the well-being of the people,' he said in response to a supplementary question in Parliament on July 28, noting that any decision on a full ban remains under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
To this end, a meeting of the Expert Committee was held on July 22, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will soon hold inter-ministerial discussions with four key ministries: The Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC).
Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a question by Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (Perikatan Nasional (PN)-Pokok Sena) regarding the federal government's stance on several state governments' decision to halt the issuance of vape retail licenses.
He added that enforcement actions are being intensified. A distributor in Kinta, Perak, was fined RM20,000 for advertising offences, while another in Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, faced a RM30,000 charge for online vape sales.
The Health minister also welcomed the decision made by six state governments — Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang — to stop issuing or renewing vape business licenses.
'We support these decisions, as licensing of business premises falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities, which are governed by state governments,' he said.
Dr Dzulkefly acknowledged that while the current enforcement framework aligns with the government's public health aspirations, there are still gaps in control.
The restrictions only apply to specific premises such as specialty stores and do not yet cover convenience stores or general retailers.
He stressed that the MOH is prioritising strict regulatory control through the newly passed Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
'This includes mandatory product registration, bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship, restrictions on sales, and prohibitions on smoking in designated smoke-free areas,' he added.
To ensure comprehensive enforcement of Act 852, the ministry will officially launch an integrated nationwide operation dubbed Ops Selamat Paru-Paru this Friday.
This operation aims to ensure that enforcement of Act 852 is conducted comprehensively, in a coordinated and effective manner across the country,' he said.
He emphasised that enforcement needs to go beyond just state actions to revoke business licenses.
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