'Listen to our plea' - Vape traders

Vape traders in the state have appealed to the state government to reconsider the ban on the sale of the product and give them time to recover their business capital before it is enforced.

A Bernama check at several premises selling vape here found the atmosphere gloomy, with several vape traders expressing regret at the latest ruling by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar ordering the ban on vape.

A local English newspaper on Sunday reported Sultan Ibrahim calling for the ban on the sale of vape and all premises selling vape to be closed by Jan 1.

"Give us time to recoup our capital via the sale of vape," said Noor Azlan Nardi, one of the vape traders at Kilang Bateri in Jalan Tampoi here when met by Bernama Sunday evening.

The 42-year-old was disappointed at the latest development which affected the business of the Malays, like him, as they had used big capital to start their business.

It would be impossible to recover the capital in a month, he said, noting that information on whether selling vape was allowed or otherwise, kept changing.

"There were quarters who came forward to explain the situation. We, traders, feel victimised because with vape, sometime can (sell), sometimes cannot (sell).

"I hope someone will listen (to our pleas)," he said, adding that he needed at least a year to recover his full capital.

Another trader, Mohd Izwandi Suhaimi, 29, said he was sad that vape would be banned as he had only started his business, about three months ago.

"The move (to ban) is like putting sand in our rice bowl! How are we going to get our capital back if we close shop? At least, give us time to recover our capital...even half the amount will be okay," he reasoned.

Earlier, state health and environment committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the state government would discuss the statement of the Sultan of Johor at the state executive councillors meeting soon.

READ: Health Ministry to wait for scientific studies on vaping

READ: Vaping ban must go with prohibition of sale - Kedah Mufti