Step up monitoring to regulate vape sales, says Dr Zaliha

CONTINUOUS monitoring is necessary to regulate vape sales at vending machines, according to Dr Zaliha Mustafa, amidst concerns about the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territory) said this in response to a recent report of a vending machine selling vape at a Kuala Lumpur mall.

“My stance is that there needs to be monitoring, and if action is found to be necessary, the Health Ministry must take action.

“This can be done by collaborating with other government agencies,” she said when met by reporters on Thursday (July 18).

On July 12, the Health Ministry reportedly ordered a mall in the capital to stop the operation of a machine selling vapes after it went viral on social media.

A meeting was also held with the mall management to explain the action and prohibition related to the sales of vapes via vending machines.

When asked if her ministry would take any action, Dr Zaliha, who was formerly the health minister, said it would check whether such machines were licensed.

“We need to look at it in terms of the Licensing Acts,” she said, adding that the Education Ministry could play a role in improving awareness.