No ban on vaping, says Hilmi

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will stick to its decision not to ban ecigarettes or vaping despite the National Fatwa Council’s edict declaring it as forbidden.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya said the government’s policy on vaping will remain unchanged despite the edict.

“The fatwa will not affect our decision,” he told reporters outside the Dewan Negara yesterday when asked to comment on the edict.

“We will not ban vaping,” he said, adding that the only restriction on vaping is that people cannot vape in gazetted smoke-free areas.

“We will stick by the Cabinet decision to just regulate sales. This to ensure that no sale of vape liquid with nicotine is allowed without authorisation,” he said.

The Cabinet had earlier decided that regulating the sale of vape products will suffice at least for now until it decides on the next plan of action.

From next month, however, the sale of vape products will be strictly prohibited in Johor and Kelantan.

Hilmi also dispelled claims the Health Ministry is trying to monopolise the vaping industry.

The claims were made by “Ikhlas”, an SME (small and medium entrepreneurs) group, which has alleged that officials within the ministry are involved in building two factories to supply vape products.

“No, there is none. I’ve not heard of it. I’ve not received any report about it,” said Hilmy, adding that the ministry is just trying to enforce laws that already regulate poisons and the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004.

“We plan to include the word ‘vapour’ into the laws, and then such regulations will have to be adhered to,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Penang government will let the state fatwa council decide on vaping issues following the National Fatwa Council’s edict on Monday.

State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the council will decide whether to bring up the matter for discussion.

“If they feel they have to discuss the issue and make a decision, then they will do so,” he said when asked about the matter yesterday.

But Penang will not follow Kelantan and Johor in banning vaping, he said.