Report sales of 'energy stick' vapes, says Johor exco member

Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (in white) at the launch of the SWM Environment KITARecycle drive-through facility at Dewan Orang Ramai Yong Peng, Batu Pahat. Also present were SWM Environment corporate communication and government relations senior manager Norsida Taslim Duka (right), Yong Peng District Council president Nur Faiz Jamil (second right) and Yong Peng District Council chief whip Mohd Kamal Harun (behind).

YONG PENG: Members of the public have been urged to contact the Health Department and their respective local authorities on the sale of vape-like nasal inhalers called “energy sticks”.

Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the ban on the sale of vape products has been enforced since 2016.

“So far, none of the local authorities in Johor has issued business licences to those selling vapes and related products.

“To date, we have not received any reports on such items being sold in the state; at the same time, we would like to encourage the public to report if they knew of such activities.

“What we need to do is to look into how to monitor the sale of these products online,” he told reporters at the SWM Environment KITARecycle drive-through facility and the Bakul Limau food aid Chinese New Year donation programme here on Monday (Feb 5).

Ling said this when asked to comment on Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's statement that the ministry is planning to take immediate action on the sale of energy sticks, which was reportedly to see a rising popularity among minors in Malaysia.

On Jan 1, 2016, Johor became the first state in the country to ban vaping.