Education Ministry to issue circular on vape usage soon

The Education Ministry will issue a circular on the use of the electronic cigarettes (vape) in schools and all higher learning institutions under the ministry soon.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the circular which would contain regulations, restrictions and measures on vape was in the final stage of preparation before being circulated nationwide.

"The circular is not only for students but also teachers. I have studied the first draft while the final draft is with the legal adviser and we will distribute it when all are in agreement," he said after attending a ceremony in honour of his appointment as Education Minister and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Vice-Chairman at Dewan Dato Syed Ahmad in Kuala Nerang Thursday.

On Monday, the National Fatwa Council decided that the use of electronic cigarettes and vape was 'haram' or forbidden.

National Fatwa Council chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin had said during a media conference that the decision was made after a Special Discussion of the National Fatwa Council for Malaysia Islamic Religious Affairs.

"As we all know, the ban on smoking in school areas was enforced 10 years ago, so I think the usage of vape is the same and must be banned in schools. It is not within our jurisdiction if it happens outside the schools. That we leave it to the state governments to handle," Mahdzir added.