PETALING JAYA: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has reminded the Health Ministry to keep its promise of implementing stricter laws in the vape and tobacco product sales regulation in the country.
CAP senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V.Subbarow said the usage of vape devices and e-cigarettes among schoolchildren and teens are at a critically worrying stage.
He said the use of vending machines to dispense vape products is the latest tactic of the tobacco industry in promoting the items although there are thousands of other businesses including restaurants and sidewalk stalls dealing in it illegally.
Subbarow said a survey by CAP revealed that students are obtaining vape fluid or juice in cyberspace where there are no age prohibitions.
He said the items were also available at stores situated near schools and housing areas.
"There are a wide variety of vape flavours, some that contain nicotine being sold in the market. This has led to the younger generation including girls becoming addicted to vape and e-cigarettes. CAP urges the health ministry to issue a total ban on vape and e-cigarettes." Subbarow said.
On Saturday (July 13), Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said specific regulations and orders related to the prohibition on the sale of e-cigarettes or vape products including the sale of e-cigarettes through vending machines are expected to be implemented soon.
He said the Attorney-General's Chambers is in the final stages of researching the regulations regarding the ban before it is approved.
On the same day, it was reported that a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur that sold electronic cigarettes from a vending machine had been ordered to cease doing so after the ministry received a complaint on the matter which was widely shared on social media.
