Calm down, vapers in Kelantan. We hear that the PAS-led Kelantan government may not be banning the sale on vape or e-cigarettes after all.
According to a report by The Malay Mail Online, a state official said that the state may reverse its complete ban on the sale of vape or e-cigarette products if the Health Ministry issues guidelines for the vape industry.
Kelantan Local Government, Housing, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Ab Fattah Mahmood said that the state made the decision to implement the ban after they were told that related departments and agencies “did not have the jurisdiction to regulate the growing vape industry”.
When contacted by The Malay Mail Online, Fattah said:
There isn’t any department that is able to oversee vaping at the moment, so we decided to take preventive measures. If, in the future, there is a proper method, safety measures and laws, we will revise the decision.
He also said that the state will drop the ban on vape that will begin next month if there’s guidelines from the Health Ministry. He further noted that since clampdown on several vape outlets, the ministry once said that only licensed pharmacists are allowed to sell vape liquids containing nicotines
According to Fattah, the local authorities were aware that a total of 69 licensed premise are selling vape-related products. However, the Kelantan branch of the Malay Vape Traders Association (PPVM) has reportedly told The Malay Mail Online that there were 350 vape stores in the state.
The state official revealed since the was absence of classification specific to the vape industry, a total of 69 outlets were currently registered under various categories, including multipurpose businesses and electronic product businesses.
He said:
In the meantime, no action will be taken. We have only given our notice to clear their premises or stores of vaping products by 1st January. Starting then only, if they continue to sell these products we will issue compounds.
“Each compound is up to a maximum of RM500,” he added.
News of a ban on vaping first surfaced earlier in November after Health Minister Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam revealed that vaping will be banned once they have settled the legalities. The ministry then announced that they were looking to implement an excise tax on e-cigarettes and vapes instead.
Though Malaysia’s Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the Cabinet had decided against imposing a ban on electronic cigarettes/vape or vaping, raids on vape outlets were conducted nationwide. Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, is officially banned in all government schools and public universities as well. A vape trader was recently charged under the Poisons Act 1952 in Kota Baru as well. The case is believed to be the first case against vaping.
After Johor announced that all sale of vape products including its equipment and liquids will be officially banned starting next year, Kelantan became the 2nd state to ban vape stores from next year onwards. Selangor followed suits as the state is considering a ban on the sale of vape as well.
What do you think of the ban on vaping? Do you think that it should be banned? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Source: The Malay Mail Online.
