Responding To Police Advice, State In Malaysia Kaji Ban On Vape Usage

Illustration. Electric cigarettes or vape. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Selangor State Government in Malaysia studied suggestions for a ban on the use of vapes or e-cigarettes in its area which was conveyed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

The Secretary of Selangor, Amirudin Shari said the suggestion would be discussed before the Public and Environmental Health Committee and the Selangor State Department of Health were decided.

"The problem depends on federal regulations. We can implement it, but I believe it needs to be discussed with related parties first. If necessary, we will continue... I need to collect all facts and points of view," he said at Wisma of the Selangor Agricultural Development Company (PKPS), Malaysia, Friday, April 18, quoted from Bernama.

Earlier on Thursday 18 April, Ayob Khan encouraged the state government to take action to ban the sale of e-cigarettes which he said were related to the potential for abuse of new synthetic drugs.

Meanwhile, Amirudin, who is also the supervisor of the Selangor branch of the Malaysian Drug Eradication Association (Pemadam), said the percentage of individuals involved in drug abuse in Selangor was low compared to other states.

"What is sometimes exaggerated is the overall data, which is understandable because Selangor has a population of seven million, while Kelantan is less than two million. We need to look at data per 100,000 people to assess the prevalence of drug abuse accurately," said Amirudin.