KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 ― An existing prohibition on cigarette smoking in designated public areas will soon be extended to vaping, the Health Ministry has said.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya was quoted by Kosmo as saying that 21 types of areas were gazetted as non-smoking areas, including hospitals, clinics, government buildings as well as petrol stations.
He said that an amendment will be made to the 1983 Food Act under the 2004 Tobacco Control Rules to regulate vaping.
“We will use the tobacco control rules for vape by putting a new word in the rules, that is ‘vapor’, and that vapor includes vape.
“With the new word, vapers will be barred from smoking in 21 nons-smoking areas,” Dr Hilmi was quoted saying.
The Johor government has confirmed it will prohibit the sale of vape products starting January 1, after the state ruler called for such outlets to be closed down.
The Kelantan government also followed suit with the same decision when it announced the ban to be enforced in four days.
The Malaysia E-Vaporizers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) has pleaded for the government to stop conducting raids and urging local councils to freeze licensing on vape traders.
Its vice president Ikhbal Zakaria said the raids were unwarranted as Dr Hilmi has assured that Putrajaya will not impose a ban on vaping and will only regulate the sales.
