It has not been the federal government's policy to recommend to the state government to enact by-laws to ban the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vape in the community so far, said Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam.

He said this in response to confusion in the media over his deputy Dr Hilmi Yahaya's remarks where he was alleged to have welcomed all initiatives against electronic cigarettes.

"I did not say anything like that. We at the federal level are discussing this with various related ministries to enforce laws against vape at a later period," he told reporters in Seremban today.

He was met during the MIC Negri Sembilan leadership's friendly gathering with the Negri Sembilan menteri besar, who is also state BN chairperson, Mohamad Hasan.

Also present were MIC deputy president SK Devamany and MIC vice-president Jaspal Singh, as well as Negri Sembilan MIC chairperson L Manickam.

Subramaniam, who is also MIC president, said his ministry was also looking at the experiences in other countries in relation to vape.

In his speech, he said the MIC must show its strength during the 14th general election if they wished to remain relevant in the political climate of the country.

Therefore, he said all party leaders and members needed to work together to ensure the party remained strong.

"After we ended the party crisis recently, we have to move forward in the party's struggle. We have no time left to fight among us.

Now is the time for us to unite and move forward because to face the many challenges ahead, our unity must strong," he said.

- Bernama