Malaysians have accused the government of dragging its feet over a full ban on vapes, saying the health damage inflicted on smokers of electronic cigarettes, especially the young, is abundantly clear with prematurely damaged lungs among the horror stories shared by them.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has said his ministry will commission a study involving the finance, domestic and international trade ministries before suggesting a potential nationwide ban on vapes, despite six of Malaysia’s thirteen states already enforcing their separate prohibition.
His suggestion has been seen by some Malaysians as another flip-flop approach by the government towards the money-spinning e-cigarette industry.
Malaysia has removed liquid nicotine from the poison list, which critics say has opened the floodgates of unrestricted sales to minors. It has also shied away from a total ban on tobacco use.
Hafidz Halim, a 34-year-old engineer who has three school-age children, said vape use was becoming increasingly accessible, with the pen-sized devices easily concealed and brought into schools.
“My friends and I have to actively go through our children’s belongings to see if they have it on them,” Hafidz told This Week in Asia.
