CAP urges Health Ministry not to reverse vape ban plan
Yesterday, the ministry announced that it was moving towards a complete ban on the use and sale of such products.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the move required careful consideration of several factors, including legal implications, enforcement, and public health.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the time was right for the government to impose a total ban to protect future generations, citing the harmful, addictive, and toxic nature of vape and tobacco products - as well as the growing incidence of vapes laced with illicit substances.
He said previous attempts to regulate the industry had failed.
"As such, we welcome and congratulate the Health Minister for his announcement.
"We hope the ministry will not make another 'turn around'. The time to act is not tomorrow - it is today," he told the New Straits Times.
Mohideen also urged the ministry not to give in to pressure from vape traders and reminded it of the growing health and social burden on Malaysian youth.
"We call for a total ban because the government's efforts to regulate have so far been unsuccessful. The problem worsened after giving in to industry pressure.
"Now, vaping has evolved into a narcotics issue, which is even more serious.
"The government must stop listening to the industry and start looking at the statistics - and anticipate how the current problems could worsen," he said.
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