Latest news with #OpsSelamatPaPa
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Integrated ops on e-cigarettes, vapes to kick off on Aug 1, says Health Ministry
IPOH: An integrated enforcement operation on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) and vapes will be launched on Aug 1, says the Health Ministry. In a statement Tuesday, the ministry said 'Operation Safe Lungs (Ops Selamat PaPa)' will involve various agencies, including the police, Customs Department, the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board, local authorities and non-governmental organisations. "The operation is to ensure that the law is enforced effectively and the country's environment is safer and free from the threat of smoking products including e-cigarettes or vapes. "We call on all parties, whether government, enforcement agencies, NGOs or the community, to jointly support and strengthen this effort to protect the health of current and future generations in line with the aspirations of the values of Madani for sustainability, wellbeing and kindness," the statement read. "This is also an important step in the effort to realise the Malaysia Sihat National Agenda (ANMS)," the statement added. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had, in a press conference in Parliament on Monday (July 28), said the government was committed in the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act. The Act, he noted, encompasses comprehensive controls covering product registration requirements, advertising, promotion and sponsorship bans, sales control, and smoking bans in restricted areas. Dr Dzulkefly also said the ministry would consider a nationwide ban on the use and sale of e-cigarettes or vapes. On the decision by the Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang governments not to renew or issue licences to e-cigarette or vape sellers, the spokesman said the move was welcomed by the ministry. The spokesman said the decision by the six states was in line with aspirations of the country to protect the public from the threat of cigarettes. "The step taken is progressive and supports the efforts towards controlling the use of e-cigarettes or vape. "Existing measures are still limited to certain types of premises and yet do not cover all premises, including retail or convenience stores," the spokesman said. "For more comprehensive control, especially in the agenda towards a complete ban on the sale and use of e-cigarettes or vapes, it is still under the authority of the Federal Government," the spokesman added.
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Health Ministry moving towards total ban on vape use and sales
He welcomed the move by six states, which were Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang to discontinue or refuse renewals for vape retail licenses. The Health Ministry is taking steps towards a complete ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes. -Photo by Bernama SHAH ALAM - The Health Ministry is taking steps towards a complete ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes, aiming for stronger measures to address health concerns. Malay daily newspaper Berita Harian reported that its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ban, which fell under the Federal Government's jurisdiction, must be implemented carefully, planned by considering legal, enforcement and public health factors. 'A thorough review is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of current controls and to determine whether more comprehensive policies are needed to protect public health,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat. Dr Dzulkefly was responding to Datuk Ahmad Saad (PN–Pokok Sena), who asked about the ministry's stance on several state governments that have stopped issuing licenses for vape businesses. He welcomed the move by six states, which were Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang to discontinue or refuse renewals for vape retail licenses. "The ministry welcomes this decision as the authority to license business premises falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities within the state governments. "This approach also aligns with our aspiration to protect public health. However, the current control only involves banning the sale of smoking products at specific premises such as specialty stores and does not cover retail or convenience stores," he added. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad - Photo by Bernama According to him, for now the ministry is focusing on strict regulation of smoking products through the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which covers product registration, advertising bans, sales restrictions and no-smoking zones. As part of enforcement efforts, the ministry will launch an integrated nationwide operation called Ops Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) this Friday to ensure effective implementation of Act 852. 'We want Act 852 enforcement to go beyond license withdrawals, as done by the six states, because vape products are still widely accessible,' Dr Dzulkefly said.
