NOV 8 — The Kelantan government recently boasted that it would not allow vape shops to set foot in the state, and that it was against smoking/vaping in general.

A 10-minute drive past the quaint shophouses in Kota Bharu yesterday revealed otherwise; at least two vape shops were open for business within a two-kilometre radius of each other, and one was even right above a Mediviron Clinic.

Which is why even though I don't buy what some "vape converts" have to sell (some of them are so aggressive in promoting vaping it comes across as cultish) I DO NOT believe in a blanket ban on vaping nationwide.

1. Banning vaping would only result in an illegal mushrooming of the trade. Said to be the second biggest vape market in the world after the US, denying vapers the right to inhale "fruity flavours laced with a wee bit of nicotine" would be very hypocritical of the government since cigarettes are still being sold here.

2. A ban would be a blatant infringement of an individual's right of choice.

3. A ban would make any attempt by the government to monitor the sales, production and distribution of vapes very difficult.

Therefore, regulation and I mean proper regulation, is the viable answer as:

1. Regulating e-cigarettes would mean checks and quality control across the board to ensure that the nicotine content within vape products are within permissible levels, as well as to ensure that there's stringent checks on the flavours being mixed and sold.

2. Regulating would mean making sure that vape businesses go through the process of applying for a licence to sell vapes with nicotine, and also for the government to make sure that vape products are brewed not in makeshift DIY "home labs", but proper laboratories with proper health and safety facilities which would be subject to visits and inspection from health ministry and local council officials

3. Regulation would also mean some people will think twice before vaping in a hotel lobby in the presence of my five-month-old daughter, because vaping indoors would be an offence just like smoking.

Regulate it, tax it, make 'em smoke it outdoors.

Banning is not a solution, but it will piss off more dads like me.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.