KANGAR: Specific regulations and orders pertaining to banning the sale of electronic cigarettes (ecigarettes) and vape products, including through vending machines, are expected to be introduced soon.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Attorney General’s Chambers is in the final stage of studying the regulations before they are approved.
“We will monitor this matter (the sale of ecigarettes via vending machines) so that it does not recur before we implement the regulations and orders,” he told reporters while attending the opening ceremony of the Health Malaysia National Agenda (ANMS) and “Karnival Perlis Hebat: Sihat Milik Semua” events at the Urban Transformation Centre here yesterday.
He said these regulations and orders would be implemented as soon as they were endorsed by the AGC, Bernama reported.
The Regent of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail inaugurated the opening ceremony. Also present was the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.
It was reported on Friday that a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur had been ordered to stop selling ecigarettes via a vending machine.
Speaking at the opening ceremony earlier, Dzulkefly said ANMS is a government initiative to improve the health of Malaysians by promoting a culture of healthy living.
He said the National Health and Morbidity Survey last year revealed that the health status of Malaysians is worrying, especially in relation to non-communicable diseases.
“One in every three adults, or 29.2%, is suffering from high blood pressure, while 33.3% of the adults have high cholesterol,” he said, adding that 15.6% of Malaysians have diabetes and 54.4% are overweight.
Dzulkefly also said Malaysia is well-known on the international stage, including at the 77th World Health Assembly, which he attended in Geneva in May, as having an organised health system from village clinics to community clinics, health facilities, and hospitals.
