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No ban on vaping in Selangor for now
Published:  Jan 13, 2016 3:54 PM
Updated: 11:44 AM

There will be no ban on vaping in Selangor pending future decisions from Putrajaya, said state executive councillor Dr Daroyah Alwi.

“The Selangor state government has agreed that any decision with regard to vaping will be subjected to current instructions and policies from the Health Ministry.

“As such, we urge the Health Ministry to enact and review all the relevant laws (related to vaping) so that the provisions can be effectively enforced,” the Sementa assemblyperson said in a statement.

While industry players had called upon Putrajaya to enact one single law to regulate vaping, current enforcement is carried out under the Poisons Act 1952, Sale of Drugs Act 1952 and the Food Act 1983, under the Food Regulations 1985.

Daroyah, who is in charge of health, family and women affairs, said the decision was reached during a state executive council meeting today following consultation with relevant stakeholders.

“A summary from the consultation session was presented during the meeting and given full consideration to ensure that the vape issue is dealt with in a responsible manner.”

She said the decision was also made in line with Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali’s earlier statement that the state will not make a rushed decision to ban vape.

‘No new licences'

In line with a Health Ministry circular on Dec 9 last year, Daroyah also announced that the state government has agreed to no longer grant licences for new vape shops.

“No approvals for new licences or renewal of licences for vape shops will be granted by the local councils, pending a final decision to be made by the federal government,” she said.

Daroyah said there are now 69 licensed vape traders in Selangor and 30 of the licences were granted on a temporary basis.

At the same time, she said the ban on the sale of vape to those below the age of 18 will continue to be enforced, as well as the gazetting of all non-smoking areas as no-vaping zones.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainuddin last week reportedly said that results of the study on the use of devices and liquid flavourings for electronic cigarettes or vape will be presented to the cabinet later this month.

He said the study aimed at, among other things, to find out the extent vape vapour could affect health, besides determining specifications to be followed by manufacturers.

The Health Ministry had also reaffirmed that it would be regulating the industry, instead of imposing a ban, although several state governments had taken the move in line with the fatwa that vaping is haram.

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