KUALA LUMPUR: Teachers caught vaping or smoking within school premises may soon face legal action, including fines of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said her ministry will not tolerate teachers using vape, especially openly or in front of students, as this violates the Malaysian Teacher Standards (SGM), which emphasises the role of teachers as models of good character.
"Teachers found vaping or smoking within school premises may face legal action such as fines up to RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, in accordance with the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024," she said in a parliamentary written reply to a question raised by Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap).
Nurul Amin had asked the Education Ministry to state the measures taken by the Ministry to curb the culture of vaping among school students, especially given allegations that some teachers openly use vape devices, setting a negative example for pupils and undermining the credibility of educational institutions.
Fadhlina said the Education Ministry was also in the process of amending the Education (Student Discipline) Regulations to include in the sub-regulations a ban on smoking, which covers all forms of cigarettes, devices, electronic tools, and liquids related to vape.
"This new amendment is in line with the enforcement of the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024, which was gazetted by the Health Ministry on Oct 1, 2024.
"This prohibition includes the sale of vape products to individuals under the age of 18 and enforcement actions against premises selling vape within 40m of a school boundary or fence," she said.
