KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Despite the current uncertainty over the legality of the Malaysian vape trade, a minister today urged young entrepreneurs here to expand their businesses, saying he wants the local industry to become "world famous".
In a posting on his Facebook page, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said although the industry will be regulated, the trade can proceed without hindrance.
He noted that the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry had announced plans to impose price adjustments on e-cigarettes while the Health Ministry has established a special committee to discuss the controversial trade.
"I believe these announcements indicate that the selling of vape products can continue although they will be confined to certain rules," Ismail Sabri said.
"I hope young vape traders will use this opportunity to expand their businesses while those producing vape flavours should be creative and make the best flavours without using illegal substances.
"I'd like to see our Malaysian vape products become famous around the world, and what will make us even more proud is that these are the creative works of our young Malay Bumiputeras," he added.
The minister then went on to urge all those in the business as well as consumers to be ethical and to abide by the rules.
The Health Ministry raided vape shops last week and confiscated nicotine products.
The ministry's director-general Datuk Noor Hisham Abdullah announced yesterday that the ministry has formed a special committee to study vaping issues and said stakeholders will be engaged after the committee meets for the first time today.
Malay-language daily Berita Harian yesterday quoted Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat as saying that drugs like marijuana, methamphetamine and ketum juice have been found in vape liquids sold in Johor.
