Rules being drawn up on vape for schools - Mahdzir

The Education Ministry's Daily School Management Division and Residential School Management Division are in the process of drawing up rules on electronic cigarettes or 'vape' for schools.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the rules banning vape in schools will not differ much from those on smoking.

"The ministry hopes parents can prevent their children from using vape. You cannot totally depend on the school to control them.

"If schools and parents, and the students have a sense of responsibility, then there's no problem," he told reporters after a programme at Padang Kerasak, Naka organised by the Padang Terap Wanita Umno Division, Saturday.

On Friday, the Cabinet decided not to ban the use of vape although the Health Ministry had voiced its concerns about it.

On Malaysia's bid for a seat in the Executive Board of the United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) for the 2015-2019 term, Mahdzir said he was confident about it.

He said other ministries as well as embassies had extended their cooperation to ensure that Malaysia would be one of the six countries to secure a seat in the board.

"We will continue to lobby for it and I will meet with ministers from the different continents," he said.

Mahadzir who would be leaving for Paris soon to attend the 38th UNESCO General Assembly on Nov 11 is expected to meet with ministers from Africa, the Pacific Islands, Asia and Europe.

"Malaysia's candidacy for an executive seat in UNESCO has the support of ASEAN nations as well as Vietnam," he said.