Latest news with #vapeban
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Ban of single-use vapes a failure as makers replaced outlawed devices with lookalike reusables - that get binned anyway
The ban on disposable vapes has been a flop because makers replace outlawed devices with reusable lookalikes that most users still bin, figures show. Sales of single-use vapes were banned on June 1 after their sweet flavours and bright packaging were blamed for fuelling a boom in underage vapers and piles of discarded vapes. But brands have responded with copycat reusable vapes with near identical names, flavours, designs and prices. Internal industry figures leaked to The Mail on Sunday show most of these lookalikes are being thrown away. In the first month after the ban, 5.3 million of the copycat vapes were sold – but just 1.4 million refills for the devices, figures for vape makers by analysts Nielsen show. A separate survey of 1,000 vapers for the manufacturers, and also leaked to The MoS, found on average they bought a new device – not a refill – every 16 days, despite the law change. Sales of single-use vapes were banned on June 1 after their sweet flavours and bright packaging were blamed for fuelling a boom in underage vapers and piles of discarded vapes. Brands have responded with copycat reusable vapes (file image) A separate survey of 1,000 vapers for the manufacturers, and also leaked to The MoS, found on average they bought a new device – not a refill – every 16 days, despite the law change. Scott Butler, of environmental group Material Focus, warned of a 'vapocalypse' More than half admitted dumping vapes when the puffs dry up instead of buying refills. Scott Butler, of environmental group Material Focus, warned of a 'vapocalypse' unless action is taken to stop manufacturers circumventing the ban. Tory MP Jack Rankin said: 'This law is a triumph of public health puritanism over appreciating the world's complexity. 'The ban shouldn't have been implemented. It made it harder for adults to quit smoking.'
BBC News
06-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Many Derbyshire retailers 'not aware of disposable vape ban'
Trading Standards officers in Derbyshire have seized almost 2,500 disposable vapes since a nationwide ban came into force on 1 June. The ban applies to all retailers, including online stores, and prohibits the sale of both nicotine and non-nicotine disposable vapes, with the primary aim of reducing environmental damage and addressing addiction in young working across Derbyshire said they have come across retailers who said they "did not know" the ban was in Rees, Trading Standards manager at Derbyshire County Council, said: "Over the last four to five years, vapes have become an issue and with the ban we've had to divert resources." One vape shop owner in Derby, who did not want to be identified, said he was aware of other shops selling them under the counter and still gets customers coming into his shop asking for disposables. The shop owner said vape manufacturers have adapted to produce similar products which mimic disposable vapes but are compliant with the rule changes. These devices look similar but are rechargeable and pre-filled nicotine pods are replaced at the top of the device when he added the disposable vapes were a "money-maker" and that his profits have dropped by 25% since the ban."You get offers to sell them for a discounted price but it's against the law," he said."I play by the rules but others don't... they are popular and people still want to buy them. "What's being sold is stock left over [before the ban] and shops actively getting them in from elsewhere." Between April 2024 and March 2025, before the ban came in, enforcement work from the Trading Standards team led to 6,000 vapes being seized from 32 out of 44 shops council said most were down to devices being in excess of the 2ml tank size or "600 puffs".Since the ban on 1 June, 2,418 disposable vapes have been seized in the county, mainly from stores in Ilkeston, Chesterfield and council also said there were 22 test purchases carried out during the last 12 months which resulted in four sales to young people - mainly in Chesterfield. Mr Rees added enforcement officers are still seizing vapes with nicotine levels of 5% - more than double the strength of what is legislated in the UK. 'Flouting the law' On how enforcement action has changed, Mr Rees said: "What we'd pick up is vapes that typically have a tank size containing in excess of the 2ml, which is law, and sometimes in excess of the legal limit of nicotine at 2%."We now come across disposable vapes that should not be on sale after 1 June, which we have seized. "We think this might be for a number of reasons, one of which is retailers simply not being aware of the ban having come in, through to deliberately flouting the law."Others are trying to get rid of old stock and thought they were able to do that, which of course they aren't, and others are actively sourcing them from other parts of the country trying to sell them."Due to the ban only coming into force in the last few months, enforcement officers in Derbyshire are initially being more lenient and urge compliance. But repeated offences will result in "more formal action".
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Vape bans: A slippery slope for legal governance — R Paneir Selvam
JULY 21 — In July 2024, the High Court ruled that the Kedah state government's move to ban gaming licences, effectively shutting down Sports Toto operations in the state, was unconstitutional. The court found that state authorities had overstepped their powers by refusing to renew licences issued under federal law, thereby infringing on the rights of a legally licensed business and violating the Federal Constitution. This landmark ruling is more than just a win for the gaming industry; it underscores a critical principle: state governments cannot override federal law at will. Yet just months later, we are seeing the same pattern emerge again, this time with the vape industry. Kedah has announced it will no longer renew licences for vape-related businesses, with the goal of a complete ban by 2026. One of the hallmarks of a sound legal system is predictability. Businesses, consumers, and civil society should be able to rely on a stable set of laws and policies. — Pexels pic Other states such as Pahang, Terengganu and Perlis are following suit. This trend raises urgent questions about the balance of power in our federal system. What started with gaming licences is now extending to vape. Tomorrow, will it be food and beverages? Or wellness and lifestyle services? If states are allowed to selectively shut down federally regulated sectors, Malaysia risks descending into legal fragmentation, where trade and commerce depend more on local politics than national law. The role of Act 852: a necessary legal anchor Rather than allowing states to adopt unilateral bans, the federal government must focus on fully enforcing Act 852 across the country. Act 852 was passed after years of consultation and debate. It represents a balanced and structured approach to regulating smoking and vaping products, protecting youth, ensuring product safety, and reducing public health risks while allowing regulated access to adults. Its successful enforcement is not just a health issue; it is a legal imperative. If states are allowed to disregard it through political or moralistic motivations, the Act's legitimacy will be compromised. From a legal standpoint, only a consistent, centralised framework can ensure that public health regulations are enforced uniformly, fairly, and in accordance with constitutional principles. Legal uncertainty hurts the rule of law and public confidence One of the hallmarks of a sound legal system is predictability. Businesses, consumers, and civil society should be able to rely on a stable set of laws and policies. When that stability is undermined by states choosing to selectively ban certain industries, it weakens the rule of law and opens the door for selective enforcement, politicisation of trade, and judicial overload from legal disputes. This also affects the very communities the bans claim to protect. Instead of driving behaviour change, bans often push products into illicit channels, where there is no age restriction, no safety oversight, and no taxation. This undermines the public health objectives of Act 852 and increases enforcement burdens. The way forward: Uphold the law, not politicise it The lesson from the Sports Toto ruling is clear: state governments do not have the authority to override federal laws with blanket bans. Vape should not be the next legal battleground. The federal government must assert the supremacy of laws passed by Parliament and ensure that public health policies are governed by national interest, not fragmented by state agendas. Act 852 provides the legal tools to regulate the vape industry effectively. What's needed now is not more bans but better enforcement. Malaysia must decide whether it wants to be governed by clear laws or discretionary bans. The answer will determine whether our legal system continues to uphold constitutional order or gives way to a patchwork of conflicting state policies. *This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Free Malaysia Today
17-07-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak set to ban vape sales
Sarawak is the latest state to move towards completely banning the sale of vapes, joining Perlis, Terengganu, Kedah and Pahang. PETALING JAYA : Sarawak is set to enforce a state-wide ban on the sale of vape products following growing concerns over their misuse for drug abuse. State youth, sports and entrepreneur development minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the decision was reached during a recent meeting of the national drug eradication action council, Komso reported. 'Previously, vape was seen as just a substitute for smoking. But now, it's being widely misused to consume drugs and other harmful substances,' Karim was quoted as saying. 'That is why the government must look into this matter seriously, and at the state level, we have agreed unanimously to ban vapes.' The announcement comes as other states ramp up enforcement on vape advertising and sales. In Selangor, vape traders were warned to remove advertisements or face action. Unlike Sarawak, however, Selangor has yet to decide on a full ban on vape sales, with proposed guidelines still under review. Several state governments have moved towards completely banning the sale of vapes, including Perlis, Terengganu, Kedah and Pahang, while Johor and Kelantan have banned the sale of these products since 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Malay Mail
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Rulers weigh national security, vape ban and top judicial picks at latest conference
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — Issues concerning national security, judicial appointments, and the proposed ban on vape were among the key topics discussed at the 269th Conference of Rulers meeting held at Istana Negara today. The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, in a statement, said the meeting was presided over by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. 'Today, the Conference received the latest briefings on national security from the Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, and on national defence from the Chief of Defence Forces, General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar,' he said. Syed Danial said that the meeting also deliberated on appointments of judges, including those to the Federal Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts, as well as on appointments of the Chief Judges of Sabah and Sarawak High Courts, President of the Court of Appeal, and the Chief Justice of Malaysia. 'The Conference also took note of the proposal to impose a complete ban on the sale and use of vape or electronic cigarettes in the country. 'Also tabled at the meeting were legal opinions from the 126th and 127th Meetings of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) Muzakarah Committee, along with resolutions from the 2025 Special Meeting of the Muzakarah Committee,' he said. Additionally, Syed Danial said the Conference was further briefed on the need for registration of marriages involving refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, as well as the Cabinet Paper regarding a centralised policy on the management of seized and forfeited assets. Present at the meeting were Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and the Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. Also in attendance were Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, and Tengku Arif Bendahara Pahang Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah. Governors Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar of Sarawak, Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam (Melaka), Tun Musa Aman (Sabah) and Tun Ramli Ngah Talib (Penang) also attended the meeting. Also present were Chief Ministers and Menteri Besar, including the representative of the Sarawak Premier. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, graced the pre-council meeting held yesterday, also at Istana Negara. The last Conference of Rulers meeting was held on February 5, presided over by the Sultan of Kedah. — Bernama
