KANGAR: The Health Ministry is identifying punitive action and regulation against those selling newly-emerged vape-like products designed to appeal specifically to school students.
Health Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni retailers should have been more aware of its threat to consumers, in particular children.
"I have been contacted by the Education Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry pertaining to this issue and we are looking at a cooperation to stop the product from being highly accessible in the market.
"As for the Health Minister, we will be looking into what sort of action and regulation that we can enforce to prevent this nasal inhaler from being sold freely in the market since it resembles vape which may be harmful to health, especially among young children.
"This product is still new and we don't have data on its consumption among the children but we are monitoring the situation closely," he told reporters after opening the Wellness Hub at the Urban Transformation Centre here today.
He had also launched the Sugar Reduction Advocacy Programme and state-level World Cancer Day during the event.
Commenting further, he stressed that the e-cigarette retailers should be more rational in the sales of the nasal inhaler.
"They should be rational, not simply thinking about taking profits. They should have considered the adverse impact of the product on consumers," he said.
He added that the Health Ministry director-general would be making an announcement on the matter soon.
On the Wellness Hub, he said the establishment of the facility is to offer various health consultations by doctors and relevant experts to create awareness aong the people to look after their health.
He said this is in line with the ministry's agenda to shift from 'sick care' to 'health care' so that every person will be more responsible for his or her health, as well as their family and community.
As of last December, a total of 32 Wellness Hub have been established nationwide.
The New Straits Times recently reported that some e-cigarette retailers were promoting "energy stick" to consumers including school children.
It was reported that Public Health Malaysia on its Facebook page has condemned the sale, which it claimed as being "easily available in the market and could potentially sway youngsters and adults into more harmful substance use, like cocaine, commonly snorted through the nostrils.