Kelantan to ban vape next year

Kelantan is the second state in the country to ban the sale of vape or electronic cigarettes following the measures undertaken by Johor last month.

State Local Government, Housing and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Fattah Mahmood said the decision was reached in a state local government meeting earlier today, Berita Harian reported.

The decision was taken based on reports from various quarters including the Department of Health, Mufti Department and safety officials on the implications of vape.

He said the state government has ordered local authorities (PBT) to issue a 14-day notice to vacate premises of vape business activities.

Enforcement will begin January 1, 2016 .

On Nov 29, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has decreed a ban on vape businesses in the state.

All vape outlets in the state were given until the end of this year to end their businesses.

"It's a matter of health and how it will affect the youngsters. It has nothing to do with business or race," he told a daily.

Following the decree, lawyer Syahredzan Johan said Sultan Ibrahim has no executive authority to ban the sale of all vaping products in the state.

READ: 'Power to ban vape sales lies with the State Government' - Syahredzan Johan

He said only the State Government or EXCO has the authority to do so.

Meanwhile, checks at several locations in Permas and Tampoi found that a majority of dealers are abiding by the ban on the sale of vaping products effective January 1.

READ: Vaping products dealers abide by ban decision

To date, health experts had said no research has indicated that vape will help cigarette smokers to quit their addiction, but it will instead create a new form of addiction among the youth.