Latest news with #vapeoperators
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Decision on vape use in coming days, says Selangor MB
Selangor will join Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, Johor and Kelantan if it decides to ban the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes. (Bernama pic) PUTRAJAYA : The Selangor government will decide whether or not to impose a ban on the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes in the coming days, says menteri besar Amirudin Shari. Amirudin said the decision would be made after public health committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin presents a policy paper on the proposal to the state executive council. 'Either by this week or next week, we will decide based on the argument and facts that we have,' he told reporters on the sidelines of an event at a hotel here today. He said the state government will prioritise public health and future generations as it weighs the consequences of prohibiting vape products. 'We are also discussing this with operators (of vape shops) and producers of vape products. Many of them are located in Selangor, so we also have to consider (how a ban would affect them). 'However, our top priority at the outset is the health of the public and our future generations. We need to make sure they are not affected by behaviour that will negatively impact their health,' he said. Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah have moved to ban the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes, joining Johor and Kelantan which have imposed such a ban for years now. On May 20, the Selangor government ordered all local councils to seize and remove advertisements related to vape products to curb e-cigarettes use, following a state-level meeting chaired by Jamaliah. Last month, deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said more states should ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes as they were becoming increasingly linked to the abuse of new synthetic drugs. Ayob said students as young as 13 have been caught using vapes containing substances mixed with drugs, and that fentanyl-laced vape liquids have been found with effects 100 times stronger and more dangerous than morphine.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Vape traders in Kedah told to cease operations by December, no extension planned
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Vape shop operators in Kedah have until December to cease operations, following a state-wide ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes. Speaking to Berita Harian, State Housing, Local Government and Health Committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said the state government will not extend the grace period, stressing that the measure is aimed at protecting public health and curbing synthetic drug abuse. He said the seven-month window, from May to December, is sufficient for traders to pivot to other businesses. 'We've given them space to adapt. Seven months is a reasonable period,' Mansor reportedly said. 'This decision was finalised in a meeting with all local councils (PBT) in Kedah this week.' The sale of vape products currently falls under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). On April 24, the Terengganu government announced a similar ban taking effect on August 1, with Perlis following suit. Earlier, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the state would not renew business licences for vape outlets expiring this year. The move is part of a broader crackdown on synthetic drug use, including among school students. Sanusi warned that vape products were being misused, with illegal substances mixed into vape liquids and sold openly. Mansor said full enforcement will begin early next year, with shops that continue selling vape products facing seizures. 'Most licences will expire this December, with a few ending in January or February,' he added to the national daily. 'If anyone refuses to comply, we'll issue fines and confiscate goods.' For convenience stores and other outlets selling vape, enforcement will come under the Ministry of Health (MOH). Mansor also called on federal authorities to revoke manufacturing and sales licences for vape products. 'The state controls point-of-sale operations, but sales licences come from the federal government,' he said. If the federal government stops issuing them, this problem can be fully resolved. 'The MOH has repeatedly warned about the dangers of vaping — it's time for decisive action.'
