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

The ruler of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has no executive authority to ban the sale of all vaping products or e-cigarettes in the state.

This is the opinion given by lawyer Syahredzan Johan who said only the State Government or EXCO has the authority to do so.

“The State Government has the final say to decide on the ban as per the wishes of His Royal Highness. The State Government may choose not to carry out the ban.

“The ban, if implemented, will only be on premises in the state on selling vape products at the local council level,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page yesterday.

Syahredzan said the state has no jurisdiction to ban vaping itself, as this falls under the authority of the Federal government.

“The State Government cannot 'outlaw' vaping,” he said adding that he supported the Johor Sultan’s statement that people should not racialise the issue as has been done by some quarters.

Yesterday, The Star Online reported that the Johor ruler has given outlets that sell vaping products in the state one month to end the business.

READ: Johor first state to ban vape sales: Report

He had said the state had the right to invoke bylaws under the local government laws to shut down vape outlets.

“I want the outlets to close down by January 1, 2016, and I do not want to hear any excuses.

“This is a question of health and its effects on young people. It has nothing to do with businesses and for sure, it has nothing to do with race.

“I am greatly disappointed that some people are bringing up racial threats and political threats,” he told The Star.

The Sultan also warned that those who flouted the law after Jan 1 would face the music.