Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today told vape businessmen to defend themselves with better expert opinions to counter the Health Ministry’s claims that vaping is dangerous to health, and should be banned.

Lim said that expert opinions from the Health Department, National Poison Centre and Consumers Association Penang, which are in favour of the ban, appear to “stand out” (menonjol) from the arguments put up by those in favour of vaping.

“We would like to give you a chance and listen to your justifications but you must be armed with expert opinions; do not just rely on Google,” Lim told the 30-odd vape sellers who joined the state-organised dialogue on vaping in Komtar today.

“But so far, you have not provided any cogent arguments to justify why we should allow vaping.

“We will listen based on facts and data, just as those presented by the various organisations calling for a ban on vaping,” he added.

Lim said the state would only arrive at a stand after meeting with all sectors involved in the vaping issue and no decision would be made within these two weeks.

The 30 vape sellers, who represent the Persatuan Pengusaha Vape Pulau Pinang (Penang Vaping Entrepreneurs Association) or PPVPP, turned up in black T-shirts with the words “thankyouCM” on their left sleeves.

PPVPP president Muhd Hafidz Adnan said the group wanted to thank Lim for agreeing to hold a dialogue with the industry players before making a decision on vaping or the sales of e-cigarettes.

“We did not think he would reply to our e-mail. We sent him our survey and asked for a meeting. We are glad he agreed to a dialogue,” said Hafidz, when met after the one-hour session.

Hafidz said the group was willing to work with any quarters to see that the industry is regulated to ensure protection for vapers and the vaping industry.

So far, there are 65 PPVPP members, and 32 shops selling e-cigarettes in Penang. The business premises are usually registered under sales of electronic parts.

State executive councillor for health, Dr Afif Bahardin, said the Health Ministry has issued a letter to the Penang government to direct its local councils not to issue business licences to vape sellers.

“We will be meeting the health department on the matter tomorrow. We have not issued any licences to vape sellers,” Afif said, when met at the dialogue session.

“There are two licences issued to two premises before the letter was sent, but these were for them to sell electronic parts,” he added.

Also joining the dialogue are Penang Health Department public health physician Dr Azizah Abdul Manan, National Poison Centre director Professor Razak Lajis, and Consumers Association of Penang education officer NV Subbarow.

On Jan 4, the Malacca government announced its decision to ban the sale and use of vape in the state in line with the National Fatwa Council's edict.

Malacca would assist the more than 20 licensed vape traders to switch to alternative businesses in view of the ban.

In Johor, all 120 vape outlets have closed shop following a royal decree prohibiting the sale of vape in the state effective Jan 1 this year.