PETALING JAYA, Nov 8 ― The Health Ministry announced today that it has formed a special committee to study vaping issues amid a crackdown on the industry.

“The committee is being chaired by the ministry's director-general (DG) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, deputy DG for public health Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, diseases control department director Dr Chong Chee Keong and several other experts on the matter,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam told a press conference here briefly.

Noor Hisham, who was also present, said that the committee will be having its first meeting on vaping issues tomorrow and will engage stakeholders as well as issue a statement after the meeting.

The Health Ministry said on Tuesday it will confiscate nicotine content found in e-cigarettes from all traders nationwide, in a move to discourage Malaysians from vaping.

It also carried out sudden raids on vape shops this week, sparking outrage from both the Malaysian E-Vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) and vape users such as local celebrity Afdlin Shauki Aksan.

Mevta has maintained that it is not illegal to sell the electronic gadget as long as nicotine products are not sold.