KUALA LUMPUR: State governments should ban the sale of vape products through local councils, as they are becoming more popular among children due to their accessibility and flashy advertising.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Saravanan Thambirajah said banning the sale of vape products was long overdue.
He said that there had been many complaints from parents and educators that children were exposed to nicotine and sometimes synthetic drugs through vaping at a young age.
"This poses a grave public health concern. Addiction is developing at a young age, and the long-term consequences on brain development, learning and general wellbeing are substantial.
"We are no longer in a position to just study the issue. Action is needed now," he said while calling on other state governments to follow in the footsteps of the Johor government in banning the sale of the product.
Noting that this might push people towards tobacco products like cigarettes, he said efforts to reduce the demand for both vapes and tobacco products should happen simultaneously.
"Banning vape does not mean ignoring tobacco. Both are public health threats and must be addressed together, not in isolation," Saravanan said.
He added that the notion of vaping being a safer alternative to tobacco is a myth, as the younger generation would still be hooked on nicotine, not through cigarettes but flavoured vape juices.
"This is a serious health crisis in the making," he said.
Fomca acknowledged that vape product smuggling could be a possible consequence of banning the product's sale, but Saravanan said the onus was on the authorities to ensure that there were no loopholes in the law to make the ban effective.
He said the Health Ministry's efforts to reform and regulate the health industry were commendable and called on the local councils to act accordingly.
"Councils must create enforceable laws that not only prohibit sales but also ban visible advertising and promotional tactics. Shops, especially those near schools, must be regularly inspected.
"The public must be empowered to report violations, and awareness campaigns must continue to educate communities on the dangers of vaping.
"The time to act is now. The tools are in place, the mandate is clear and the public expects leadership on this issue," Saravanan said.
Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said state governments could suspend the business licences of vape sellers through their respective local authorities.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay also said that state governments could prevent the sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes, which were increasingly linked to the misuse of new synthetic drugs.
He said that school students as young as 13 had been found using vapes containing drug-laced substances.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari also said Selangor was willing to study the need to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vaping in the state.