Selangor mulls regulating vape items

AMPANG: Concerned with the increased social risks on youngsters, Selangor government is mulling to regulate and restrict the sale of vape or e-cigarette items in the state.
State executive councillor for youth, sports, cultural and entrepreneurship development Amirudin Shari said discussions are currently being conducted in the Exco and various state agencies including the health department and local councils due to the "unfavourable social perceptions" on vaping among the younger generation.
"We are studying the vaping issue as a whole with a possibility to regulate those who are selling the vaping products," he told theSun, after officiating the Selangor Exco Le Tour event at Ampang Jaya Municipal Council field in Pandan Indah this morning.
"Allow us to take one step at a time as we are concerned about the issue from the safety aspect as well as social perspectives."
Even though many have attributed e-cigarette as a form of 'gateway' to smoking, he said, it was important to curb vaping before it 'gripped' the teenagers and school children.
A recent survey conducted by Consumers Association of Penang had found that 150 pupils are regular vapers from eight secondary and primary schools in Penang.
Asked if Selangor would follow Johor's footstep in banning the sale of vaping devices and products, Amirudin said, they are currently not considering that path.
He also agreed that vaping should not be the only major concern.
"If vaping is the main issue lately, we should also look at why we are not banning or seriously eradicating smoking? This is why we need to look at the overall picture and conduct an in-depth study," said Amirudin.
On Saturday, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said state governments are welcomed to restrict or ban the sale of vaping devices by enacting their own by-laws.