SHAH ALAM: An integrated meeting involving the Selangor public health and environment committee, the Mentri Besar's office and state Health Department will be held soon to review the need to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes (vapes) in the state.
Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said it would also involve other stakeholders, including departments and agencies of both federal and state governments, as well as local governments.
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"This discussion is also expected to involve agencies such as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the enforcement, legal aspects and socio-economic impact,” she said in a statement on Friday (April 25).
She said that at the federal level, the Health Ministry and Health Department have an important role in regulating the registration, labelling and packaging, as well as sale of smoking products, and enforcement of the ban on smoking and vaping as provided under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.
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At the state government level, she said, business licenses are regulated by local governments and licenses issued are specifically for the sale of electronic equipment, not for vape devices or liquids, she said.
"The state government would like to stress that any decision will be based on a detailed study and take into account the interests of public health, the effectiveness of enforcement and the well-being of the people of Selangor.
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"I appreciate the concerns of all parties, including the proposal put forward by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay recently, and we are committed to examining this issue comprehensively and inclusively,” she said.
On Thursday (April 24), the Terengganu government announced that it would enforce a ban on the sale of vape products at all premises in the state from Aug 1.
On April 18, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was quoted as saying that Selangor is prepared to review the need to ban the sale of vapes in the state as recommended by Ayob Khan. – Bernama
