Vape traders in the state have been given six months to clear their existing stock following the state government's decision to ban the sale of vaping products effective Jan 1.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the state government would also try to help 40 affected vape traders with the assistance of the Terengganu Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council (Maidam) and the Terengganu Entrepreneur Development Foundation (YPU).

"Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah) in today's meeting, vape traders unanimously accepted the state government's decision to ban vape sales beginning Jan 1 after the state fatwa council declared the items as 'haram'.

"We will help the affected traders to venture into a different business field with financial assistance from Maidam or YPU," he told reporters after a meeting with vape traders in the state at Wisma Darul Iman, in Kuala Terengganu today.

Present were state secretary Osman Muda, state mufti Zulkifly Muda and Terengganu Malay Vape Traders Association chairperson Muhammad Kamaruzzaman Mahmud.

Ahmad Razif said the state government had also agreed to set up a new business centre that would provide a platform for traders to sell electronic goods or digital mall to help the affected traders.

"The digital mall will be built in Kuala Terengganu in the near future and priority will be given to the affected vape traders to set up shop there," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Kamaruzaman, when approached by reporters, thanked the state government for giving them six months to clear off their existing stock.

"We also welcome the state government's efforts, to build a digital mall to help vape traders shift to another business field after the given six-month period expires," he said.

- Bernama