BANTING: There will be no raids on shops selling e-cigarettes or vapes in Selangor for the time being.
All local councils in the state have also been instructed not to freeze the business licences of such establishments, said State Health, Welfare, Women and Family Affairs executive councillor Dr Daroyah Alwi.
She said the state government is currently gathering all facts and studies from various parties such as the Health Ministry, Selangor mufti, Malaysia E-Vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) and others.
She said until a decision is reached, local councils are to freeze any raids on such outlets.
“Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has also advised against rushing into making any decision until we have gathered enough facts on vaping.
“There is a lot of data we need to collect and examine. We will also be conducting workshops for all departments.
“Once these are completed, we will bring the matter to the state exco meeting," said Daroyah.
The announcement was welcomed by Mevta vice-president Ikhbal Zakaria, who said its members were hoping for a favourable decision.
“We have to explore other alternatives if the state government decides to ban vape in Selangor.
"For now, we are appealing to the authorities to hold on conducting raids on the e-cigarette businesses until the state government has reached its decision," he said.
Ikhbal claimed that the vape industry in Malaysia among the world’s largest and contributed RM2.6 billion in sales, last year.
Meanwhile, Ikram Malaysia Women's Wing head Datin Paduka Che Asmah Ibrahim said Ikram will continue to advise the public on the negative impact of vaping, especially among teens.
“We have a specific institute called Ikram Health which focuses on studies on the impact using vape among teens.
“Vaping is being seen as a new lifestyle, a new trend. Therefore, we will carry on educating the public about the negative impacts of vaping," she said.