SELANGOR is in the midst of drafting a policy paper regarding the direction of regulating electronic cigarette products with a potential gradual ban on the use of vapes.
State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the policy will be formulated comprehensively and in line with the approach outlined under the Tobacco Product Control Act for Public Health 2023 (Act 852).
“Our policies will take into account the current market realities, public health impacts and the need to strengthen enforcement through cooperation between state agencies, local authorities, and relevant federal agencies,” she said during the Selangor state assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri in Shah Alam.
Jamaliah said this in reply to Tony Leong Tuck Chee (PH-Pandamaran) who asked if Selangor was able to conduct a campaign to prohibit the use of vapes.
Jamaliah added that the state government has also held engagement sessions with stakeholders such as the Selangor State Health Department (JKNS) and local authorities to discuss the implementation of a campaign to ban the use of vapes in the state.
“Initial efforts carried out are the removal of vape-related advertisements and promotional signage at vape-selling premises throughout Selangor,” she said.
Jamaliah said the state also planned to increase awareness in youths on the risks and harmful health effects of vaping.
The advocacy programmes would focus on the participation of students from secondary schools and higher learning institutions through awareness carnivals, advocacy talks, interactive sessions and lifestyle-based educational activities.
“Campaigns will also provide health clinics with a support hotline to assist individuals who wish to quit vaping, as well as nicotine addiction screening services,” said Jamaliah.
