The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) is one of three ministries which have been tasked by the government to regulate the use of electronic cigarette and vape.

The Cabinet meeting Wednesday also gave tasks to two other ministries: the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), said KPDNKK in a statement Thursday.

KPDNKK was responsible for regulating and enforcing safety standards for electronic cigarette devices and batteries and vaping devices under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599).

It would also regulate and enforce the marking and labeling of electronic cigarette devices and nicotine-free liquid and vapes through the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (Act 730); Act 599; the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (Act 723) and the Weights and Measures Act 1972 (Act 71).

Under a new act, the licensing, production, distribution including import, export and sale of electronic cigarette devices, nicotine-free liquid and vapes would be monitored by KPDNKK.

MOH would regulate the sale of e-liquid containing nicotine under the Poisons Act 1952 and Sale of Drugs Act 1952, which only permit licensed pharmacies and registered medical practitioners to sell preparations containing nicotine for medical treatment.

It would also regulate the sale, promotion and use of health related labels for e-cigarette liquid without nicotine and vape including enforcing a ban on its usage for underaged consumers, said the statement.

MOSTI, through the Department of Standards Malaysia, would develop standards for e-cigarettes batteries and devices and the packaging of nicotine-free, e-liquid and vapes under the Standards of Malaysia Act 1996.

Following the decision, MOH will draft a new law to replace the Tobacco Control 2004 Regulations, while KPDNKK would draft a new law relating to the control of electronic cigarettes and vapes within the next two years.

During this two year period, the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes would be controlled by existing laws and regulations imposed by the relevant ministries and agencies.

KPDNKK would also conduct a study on regulatory mechanisms for electronic cigarettes and vapes while the MOH would conduct further studies on its impact on health.

KPDNKK has urged vape dealers to comply with the existing laws and to obtain the verification test approval from SIRIM in ensuring that the goods were safe for use before they were distributed or sold to consumers. --BERNAMA