Total ban on vape under study, says Putrajaya
Laws being drafted by AGC which will include a ban on sales of all types of tobacco products to those under 18.
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is still discussing a possible ban on sale of e-cigarettes or vape that use liquid solutions (e-liquid) without nicotine, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry together with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry were studying the matter and that new laws on vaping were currently being reviewed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
“We are also following the latest studies on side effects of using e-cigarettes including on deaths recorded in the United States.”
He said a detailed study has to be done to review enforcement needs on a total ban on e-cigarettes and vaping.
Dzulkefly was replying to a question from Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PAS-Pengkalan Chepa), who asked whether the health ministry would enforce a total ban or just a ban on sale to students in view of the dangers of vaping.
Dzulkefly said the legislation under review by the AGC calls for a total ban on sale of all types of tobacco products including conventional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes to individuals below 18.
Dzulkefly said the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Survey Among Malaysian Adolescents 2016 found 300,000 students using E-cigarettes, and of that 250,000 of them were male.
Replying to a supplementary question from Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (PH-Hulu Langat) on the imposing of tax on e-cigarettes, Dzulkefly said his ministry’s priority was the people’s health.
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“Although it is said that the vaping industry can help generate revenue for the country, the ministry considered the pros and cons, the heavy burden related to nicotine was greater,” he said.