JOHOR BARU: Vaping could be banned nationwide if there is enough demand for a ban, said Health Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman.
He said that Cabinet would probably order for investigations into the matter to be sped up, adding that Cabinet would probably approve the ban if the public voiced their concerns unanimously.
"If there is demand from the public to ban the activity once and for all, it may happen but ultimately the decision is up to Cabinet," he told reporters during a press conference at Hospital Sultanah Aminah here on Monday.
Meanwhile, Johor Health Department director Datuk Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said that Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar had a solid basis for the ban.
He said that the Sultan referred to World Health Organisation studies before issuing the decree banning vaping in Johor.
"DYMM Sultan Ibrahim looked into the serious implications that vaping could bring about before announcing the ban,” said Dr. Mohd Khairi.
He said that vaping was a gateway to drug abuse as 7.6% of ganja users in the United States – including teenagers and students - used vaping devices to inhale the illegal substance.
"There is no denying that this could also happen here based on the news reports over the drug substances infused in vape liquids," he added.
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