The Health Ministry today welcomed the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar's decree against vaping in the state, in the interest of public health.

Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam in a statement said the decree to prohibit the sale of vape in the state, effective January, shows that the sultan has placed public health above other considerations.

"The Health Ministry also welcomed the move as it is in line with its aim to achieve a generation that is free from all types of smoking by the year 2045.

"This decree will help to address the issue of smoking in general and reduce the uncontrollable act of vaping today," said Subramaniam.

He also added the ministry hopes that the decree will contribute to improving the overall health of people in Johor, as well as urging other states to emulate the decision.

The monarch in an interview with The Star was reported as saying there should be no excuses and that the matter should not be politicised or turned into a racial issue.

He also said that vaping, if left unchecked, would turn into a “whole new form of addiction among our youth” and would have long term effects on the people’s health and the country’s medical costs.