KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — The Selangor government will initiate discussions next year to consider the possibility of imposing a ban on vaping in the state, Mentri Besar Azmin Ali said today.

According to The Star Online, Azmin said a workshop will be held early in the year to study how vaping affects a person’s health.

“The workshop ‎will involve the Health Ministry, youth groups and several non-governmental organisations to look into the health implications of vaping.   

“We will look at the ‎conclusions from the workshop before deciding on anything,” he was quoted saying in the news portal’s report after chairing the weekly Selangor Economic Action Council meeting in Shah Alam.

The report added that Azmin said his administration did not want to take drastic measures without first getting feedback from professionals.

“We want to hear them out first because the people’s health ‎have to be prioritised. We also do not want any social implications if this matter is not handled properly,” he reportedly added.

Yesterday, Malay news portal Sinar Online reported Kelantan Local Government, Housing, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Ab Fattah Mahmood as saying that the state government has decided to maintain its decision to stop issuing licenses for vape outlets beginning January 1 next year.

According to the Malay news portal, the state also gave traders 14 days from yesterday to clear out their premises.

Kelantan’s decision follows a similar move in Johor to ban vape from next year.

The Johor state government confirmed the move recently after the state ruler called for such a ban on the vape trade, but Putrajaya has yet to decide on vaping policies.

A vape trader was charged under the Poisons Act 1952 in Kota Baru on Tuesday in what is believed to be the first case against vaping.