KUCHING: Sarawak may consider a complete ban on vaping products in the future, but current efforts remain focused on prevention, public awareness and early intervention.
State Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (pic) said the state views vaping, particularly among youths, as a serious and growing public health concern due to its increasing links to drug abuse and synthetic substances.
“However, the government believes public awareness, prevention and community readiness must first be strengthened to ensure any future policy, including a possible total ban, can be implemented effectively and receive broader public support,” she told Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-Bukit Assek) during question time in the state legislative assembly yesterday.
Fatimah said 34 intervention programmes were carried out statewide last year to discourage youths from vaping.
“These programmes included advocacy campaigns, school and community outreach activities, health awareness talks, and collaborative programmes involving enforcement agencies, educational institutions and community organisations,” she said.
She added enforcement efforts were also being intensified, particularly against illegal vape-related activities involving drug abuse and criminal syndicates.
“This includes targeted operations against vape devices containing prohibited substances, monitoring illegal distribution networks, and stricter enforcement against the sale and supply of vape products to minors,” she said.
Fatimah said enforcement action was being taken under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act in relation to sales to minors, advertising, promotion and youth access to smoking products.
From January to May this year, four minors were issued compounds under Section 13(3) of the Act for illegally purchasing smoking products, while 253 were charged under Section 17(1) for smoking or vaping offences.
Three vendors were also charged under Section 13(1) for selling smoking products to minors.
“The government will continue to closely monitor the situation based on public health concerns, enforcement effectiveness and the well-being of the rakyat, especially the younger generation,” she added.
