IPOH: More than 60 licensed premises selling electronic cigarettes and vapes in Perak will close once their licences expire, says a state executive councillor.
This follows the announcement that the state will stop issuing or renewing licences to sell vapes and electronic cigarettes starting Jan 1, 2026.
Perak housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said premises that have recently renewed their licences, with validity extending past Jan 1, will be allowed to continue operating.
However, their licences will be revoked after they expire, she added.
“I believe the Health Department held engagement sessions with business premises before this policy was introduced,” she told reporters after attending the draft Ipoh Local Plan 2035 publicity and public participation programme here yesterday.
Ng said the Perak Health Department will work closely with state government agencies and all 15 local councils to ensure the gradual phase-out of vape sales.
“At the state level, when other states began implementing the ban, Perak decided to do the same.
“However, we are also taking into account premises that still hold valid licences, which is why the state government has given traders until January to manage their operations and, if necessary, switch to other businesses,” she said.
On Oct 1, Perak health comm- ittee chairman A. Sivanesan said the state government will implement a ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes in all business premises under the jurisdiction of all local authorities, beginning Jan 1 next year.
“Renewals can still be done with the local councils this year, but once their licence expires, there will be no more renewals,” he said.
Separately, Ng said that upgrading works at Perak Stadium is expected to be completed by January 2026.
She said the stadium was closed from June this year due to poor field conditions caused by rain, which had even led to some matches being cancelled.
“With funding from the Youth and Sports Ministry and Ipoh City Council (MBI), we started a RM842,000 upgrading project.
“The work began in June and is expected to take six months to complete,” she said, adding that the new grass would still need an additional three to six months to mature before the stadium could be reopened..
Ng also added that the abandoned D’Aman Residence housing project is now close to completion.
