The Selangor government has deferred the renewal and application of vape sales licences in the state until a decision on whether to ban vaping or not is announced.

State Health, Welfare, Women and Family Affairs Committee chairperson Daroyah Alwi said local authorities had also been directed to stop raiding vape premises in Selangor.

She said the deferment was effective Jan 1 as the state government is still gathering information on vape as well as views from all parties before a decision is made.

“We are still discussing the issue and collecting information to make sure it covered all factors as well as implications on the community. The measure is to ensure the decision made would protect the interests of all parties,” she told reporters when chairing a special workshop to discuss the sales of vape products today.

The three-day workshop which began yesterday features representatives from the Selangor Health Department, Selangor Mufti Department, Malaysia E-Vaporisers and Alternative Tobacco Association as well as several NGOs.

According to Daroyah, there is no limit set to announce the decision but it would be made after all parties involved are satisfied with the discussion session carried out.

She said even though several other states had banned the sales of vape recently, the Selangor government still needs time and would not rush into making a decision without taking into consideration the interests of all parties.

“Through the workshop today, all information gathered would be formulated and presented to the Selangor state executive council meeting for consideration. The decision on the matter would be announced by the menteri besar,” she said.

- Bernama