KUALA LUMPUR: The government has defended its decision to regulate vapes under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 rather than imposing an outright ban.
“If we had banned it (altogether), it would have been easier. But we missed that opportunity,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said after the launch of the ‘Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in Malaysia: The Case for Investment’ report at Parliament’s Banquet Hall here today.
Nevertheless, he defended the existing legislation.
“This piece of legislation is very comprehensive, covering everything from registration to the end of the supply chain.”
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which took effect on Oct 1, aims to ban the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials, and tobacco substitutes, including vapes and other electronic smoking devices, to minors.
Addressing concerns about the potential health risks of vapes, Dr Dzulkefly gave his assurance that the law would evolve as new evidence emerges.
“If new evidence arises, we will revisit the issue. The law is dynamic, never static.”
Earlier, during a session in the Dewan Rakyat, Dzulkefly said the government had to spend more than RM150,000 to treat an individual suffering from e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injuries.
He added that the treatment cost was projected to rise to RM369 million annually by 2030 if no control measures were implemented against the use of e-cigarettes or vapes.
Source: NST
