KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 ― Umno-linked daily Utusan Malaysia implored the Johor government for sympathy on youths and vape traders today, after the latter decided to ban vape outlets starting next year due to the state sultan’s decree.
The Malay daily said in its Sunday edition, Mingguan Malaysia, that any such major decision should only be made after a thorough study on the effects of vaping, following the move which it said was seen by many as shocking and hasty.
“A couple of incidents and wrongdoings involving vaping, does not mean every e-cigarette users and lovers who are mostly the youths, should be punished,” said a column by editorial voice Awang Selamat.
“Vape traders which have since mushroomed, will also shoulder the effect. Have pity on them, they just want to work for their livelihood in this challenging era of economic and high cost of living.”
“This group is not running illegal gambling premises, which should instead be our main foe,” it added.
Just last week, Awang Selamat had called for vaping to be regulated like cigarette smoking, pointing out that although studies show that smoking cigarettes is harmful, cigarettes are not banned but regulated instead with age limits and smoke-free zones.
The Johor Sultan last week decreed a ban on vape trading in the state, prompting the state government to say it would enact new by-laws to prohibit the sale of vape products by January 1.
Traders who breach this law would be fined up to RM2,000 or risk the revocation of their licenses and seizure of their goods, Johor state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Abdul Latiff Bandi was reported saying last Sunday.
Some traders have been forced to discount heavily to clear their stocks before the deadline, while others are attempting to dispose of their entire inventory to sellers in other states.
