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YOURSAY | ‘Will this be debated at its AGM amidst billowing clouds of vapour?’

Johor sultan bans vape, warns against racialising issue

Anonymous 29051438068738: With this long overdue ban on vaping, will Malay dignity go up in vapour, I wonder.

Will Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob request for a special sitting of the Umno supreme council to determine a response to this ban?

Will this be debated at the party’s general assembly amidst billowing clouds of vapour?

Ah-hah!!!: I applaud Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's statement on vaping, particularly his criticism of the racial angle played up by certain politicians and personalities who may have ulterior motives.

However, his ban on vaping also highlights another issue - the role of the sultans in administrative matters. While I am very happy that he has come out to champion the health of his subjects, shouldn’t the ban be the purview of state and federal governments?

Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly true that state and federal ministers involved the matter have not exactly been doing their jobs properly.

Pemerhati: In Malaysia, the Agong and the sultans have very limited powers and are supposed to act on the advice of the PM or MB.

However, they do have some powers when it comes to Islam. The Johor sultan is obviously acting unconstitutionally and beyond his powers when he bans vaping or anything else.

Carpe Diem: Yes, while I personally believe vaping is harmful and should be at least controlled, the sultan is wading into territory that is outside the constitution with regards to the powers of royalty in the formation of laws in this country. This is a dangerous path indeed.

Vijay47: Like it or not, vaping has already become a political and racial issue and we can thank Umno and Ismail Sabri for it.

That concerned minister is strongly urging that Malaysia's latest once-obscure pastime be allowed to continue unabated as it involves the opportunity for Malay youth to make untold fortunes while making the nation world famous.

And Ismail Sabri had a few choice words to say about the health minister for leading raids against vape havens. Had Ismail Sabri kept his mouth shut, most people would have ignored it, treating it with the same disdain mat rempits have earned.

On the other hand, legally speaking, the Johor sultan just does not have any authority to give any order; gone are those days. But his latest comments would be welcome as it also means another brick in the wall against Umno and related idiots.

Like the traffic policeman would say, "Jadi, macam mana?" So what are you going to do about the sultan, send in the army? After all, there's no smoke without ire.

Aries46: A government-supported vape industry under whatever circumstances, regulated or otherwise, will lead to unmitigated catastrophe to the nation's innocent youths in terms of nicotine and drug-related abuses, addiction and the resulting health dilemma.

It’s like smoking that starts off as an innocent fun for the inquisitive mind in the teenage years turns into lifelong addiction at the expense of money burnt, the dangers of inhaling of secondary smoke by others and devastating effects to one's own health.

The Johor sultan has taken a bold but possible unpopular move in the long-term interest of his state and subjects and he is to be lauded.

Hopefully this is appreciated by the federal authorities in terms of a nation-wide ban, including those with vested interest that have championed the vape industry for short-term profits or political gains. Long live HRH (His Royal Highness).

Anonymous 560221439180274: A leader must be able to make tough choices. The sultan has proven once again his decision is solely in the interest of the rakyat.

Cigarette smoking is already an addiction. It does not matter whether one smokes just two sticks or a packet or several packets a day. It simply shows you cannot do without it.

It is craving or addiction that is causing smokers to replace it with vaping. The tool, accessories or ingredients, in the long run, will prove equally expensive compared to money spent on cigarettes.

In a matter of time, the business community will exploit the vaping industry by introducing electronic tools at higher prices, causing vapers to constantly upgrade their tools, as many do with mobile telephones.

A recent survey has shown that almost 90 percent of bankrupts come from the 30-something group of Malaysians. It goes to show that our youth have no care for savings or their future.

Anonymous 109681439536914: Great step forward, Your Royal Highness. The rulers of other states should follow suit to protect the the health of our citizens.

The federal government is obviously dragging its feet in banning vaping to safeguard bumiputera business interests as one minister has proclaimed.

Proarte: What if the sultan decides to ban pork or the consumption of alcohol in his state? Does he have the right to do so? If he does, then we do not live in a democracy and we may as well tear up our constitution.

Royal forays into the political domain is the result of Umno’s failed role in proper governance.

On the vape issue, Umno has been downright irresponsible and racist. It is not surprising the sultan has decided to wade in for sanity to prevail.

But the wider question is the role of our constitution. Is it really the supreme law of the land?

Simple Malaysian: While I do question how this law can come into force as it was issued by the sultan (in terms of its legality), I think the more important thing here is the public's health, which of course Tuanku is more concerned of than our government.

To ensure Tuanku's wishes are carried out, the state government could at least support it and make it enforceable, if it cares for the people as much as Tuanku.

Imraz Ikhbal: What about smoking cigarettes? Isn't that more harmful, more dangerous and more widespread amongst youth across the nation?

Haven't cigarettes long been declared ‘haram’ through a gazetted fatwa? So shouldn't cigarettes be banned first? Or are there other considerations beyond the public's sphere of awareness that motivates the selective clampdown?

Hopeful123: For those who ask why "no cigarettes ban", please understand that cigarettes have been around for many generations. It could possibly be an after-effect of the opium industry, which was once legal but later totally banned.

We have learned that cigarettes are not good at a very much later stage. There is no harm and it makes sense that we learn from mistakes. So the ban on vaping must be encouraged and implemented before that again becomes a social and health nuisance.

Let us together ensure that our younger generations don't suffer from unwanted health problems.

Well Thats Fantastic: Without a religious ruling against vaping, and its already high popularity, a prohibition against it will drive up prices, make the dealers wealthy, and further corrupt our police force. Regulation is the only sensible answer.

Tok Karut: Vapers think they look cool. I have seen a couple of youngish males standing in some choice spot to be sure that they get noticed by passers-by. It’s hilarious.


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