KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 — The KL City Hall (DBKL) has clarified that there is no official ban on the vape trade here but said it would not issue business licences to e-cigarette traders until Putrajaya makes its position on the issue clear.

DBKL licensing and petty traders management department director Ibrahim Yusof explained that as there are no laws on vaping yet, traders will have to apply for business licences under the electronic goods category to sell vape products.

“Vaping is new. There is no law for it. So they would apply for licences to sell electronic goods.

“But we will not issue the licences,” Ibrahim told Malay Mail Online.

He said DBKL has yet to decide on what to do with existing vape shops around the city, but made it clear that they do not have permits to operate.

“The mayor is currently on holiday. When he gets back, we will have a high level meeting to decide on the next course of action,” Ibrahim explained.

Several news outlets reported today that KL has imposed a ban on the vape trade, following in the footsteps of states like Kelantan and Johor.

Earlier this week, 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 Wednesday 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.

Selangor was also reported to be considering a similar ban, although Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said yesterday that his administration would first consult stakeholders before making any decision.

To date, 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.