Sarawak intensifies enforcement against teen vaping, with 253 minors charged this year under the state’s new public health act.
KUCHING: At least 250 teenagers below the age of 18 in Sarawak have been hauled up by the Sarawak Health Department and anti-narcotics police for vaping and smoking offences as state authorities intensify enforcement efforts this year.
State Minister for Women, Community Wellbeing and Family Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the crackdown, carried out between January and May this year, involved stricter enforcement operations aimed at preventing minors from becoming involved in vaping and smoking.
“From Jan 1 until May this year, 253 minors have been caught and charged under the State Public Health Act 2024 relating to the control of vaping and smoking products.
“Four minors were also issued compounds on the spot.
“Three traders of vaping and smoking products were caught selling these items to minors.
“They have been charged under the Act for the offence of selling such products to underage individuals.
“We in Sarawak are stepping up enforcement and education efforts while moving towards a complete vaping ban soon,” she said during the question-and-answer session in the State Legislative Assembly today.
Fatimah said the latest data from the State Health Department and police showed a rise in the seizure of drug-laced liquids used in vaping devices and electronic cigarettes.
She said Sarawak is currently formulating a law to ban the sale and use of vaping devices and electronic cigarettes.
The law is needed as more adults and young people, including students, are becoming addicted to vaping and smoking, she added.
“My ministry is in the process of formulating this very strict law.
“We are moving towards a total ban in the near future, while enhancing public education and awareness efforts now.
“The ban will be implemented in stages.
“We will work with enforcement agencies and local councils to ensure the ban is enforced across Sarawak in phases,” she said.
Fatimah said her ministry had identified several major concerns showing that vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes had become increasingly widespread among the public, including students and teenagers.
“These devices are being laced with addictive substances, including drugs.
“They have become serious threats to health,” she said.
Previous reports indicated that most teenage vapers in Sarawak are aged between 13 and 17.
Fatimah said it was deeply worrying that many Sarawak teenagers were becoming addicted to smoking-related habits at such a young age.
She added that her ministry must chart clear and aggressive strategies to tackle the growing problem among youths in the state.
