PETALING JAYA: The latest directive by the Health Ministry on the sales of vapes  that contain nicotine will only kill the Malay-dominated industry, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Minister for Rural and Regional Development said the Health Ministry should review its decision that only licensed pharmacists and registered medical practitioners could sell the nicotine-laced vapes.

He said the move would only kill the businesses generally owned by Malays.

"Another shocking statement by the Health Ministry. The vape sellers can no longer be in business as giant companies own the pharmacies, including the foreign ones,” said Ismail Sabri in a post on his Facebook account on Tuesday.

He added that he hoped the Health Ministry could review their proposal by taking into account the losses that these businesses may incur.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had on Monday said that e-cigarettes that contain nicotine can only be sold by licensed pharmacists and registered medical practitioners.

He said the sale of e-cigarettes with nicotine requires registration under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations 1984, Sale of Drugs Act 1952.

Ismail said he hoped the Health Ministry could consult the vape business owners to come up with a "win-win situation" and at the same time introduce a set of regulations for the industry.